Thermal transfer recording apparatus and thermal transfer recording method using the same

ABSTRACT

A thermal transfer recording apparatus for recording a glossy and high quality image alleviates or substantially solves at least one of the problems of low recording speed of the image, poor stability of recording, and high running cost of recording. The thermal transfer recording apparatus has an intermediate record support which forms a closed loop and extends over a plurality of drums which are placed separately, and a dye receiving layer transfer section having a dye receiving layer transfer head which faces a part of the intermediate record support on an outer periphery of one drum of the plurality of the drums. The thermal transfer recording apparatus also has an image recording section having at least one image recording head which faces a part of the intermediate record support on an outer periphery of the one drum, and an image transfer section having an image transfer head which faces the intermediate record support inside of the closed loop.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording apparatus(e.g., a thermal transfer printer) and a thermal transfer recordingmethod (e.g., a thermal transfer printing method). In particular, thepresent invention relates to a thermal transfer recording apparatus anda thermal transfer recording method in which a full-colored and highquality image can be formed on a plain paper at a high speed and a lowcost, for example, in a digital mode.

BACKGROUND ART

A thermal transfer recording method in which a dye is transferred byheating can provide an image having a high quality which issubstantially equivalent to that of the silver halide conventional fullcolor photograph. Furthermore, the thermal transfer recording method isan excellent recording technique which puts less of a load on the globalenvironment and which allows instant recording (or printing) (i.e.,recording can be done immediately). An apparatus for such a method iscompact and excellent in its maintainability.

However, it is necessary to use a substrate as an image receivercomprising pulp paper, both surfaces of which are laminated with aformed polyester (PET) film, etc. in order to reproduce a high qualityimage. Therefore, the thermal transfer recording method has adisadvantage in that the substrate, which is expensive, is to be used asthe image receiver, and no other substrate can be selected. This means alower degree of freedom as to the substrate selection. Several thermaltransfer recording methods which are called re-transfer recordingmethods have been proposed in order to solve such a problem.

The first re-transfer recording method is a method wherein an image isrecorded (i.e., printed) by thermal transfer of a dye on a dye receivinglayer supporting sheet (a sheet which carries a dye receiving layer)which is obtained by forming the dye receiving layer (a layer on whichthe image is to be recorded (or printed)) on a thin sheet-form substratesuch as a PET film with a method such as a coating method, and the dyereceiving layer on which the image has been formed (or recorded) isre-transferred to a (final) image receiver such as paper (see, forexample, Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No.63-81093). However, thedye receiving layer supporting sheet is made of the thin sheet-formsubstrate and the image is formed on the dye receiving layer on such asheet-form substrate by thermally transferring the dye, so that thefirst re-transfer recording method has problems in that registration ofthe image is difficult and in that it is not always easy to handle thedye receiving layer supporting sheet in an apparatus. Therefore, asecond re-transfer recording method has been proposed as a method whichcan solve those problems caused by the dye receiving layer supportingsheet.

The second re-transfer recording method is a method wherein anintermediate record support (a medium which temporarily keeps the dyereceiving layer during recording (or printing)) is used which forms aclosed loop such as a drum or a belt (e.g., an endless belt). The methodin which the drum is used is disclosed in Japanese Patent KokaiPublication No.4-156384 and the method in which the belt is used isdisclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No.8-67016. In thismethod, a dye receiving layer transferer (a medium which carries a dyelayer to be transferred (moved) to the intermediate record support) isheated while being pressed, so that first, the dye receiving layer istransferred onto the intermediate record support from the dye receivinglayer transferee. Seconds the dye is thermal transferred to thetransferred dye receiving layer from a dye transferer such as an inksheet, so that an image is formed. Last, the dye receiving layer onwhich the image has been formed on the intermediate record support isre-transferred to a (final) image receiver such as paper, i.e., in thismethod, the image is re-transferred. The second re-transfer recordingmethod does not cause the problems which are caused in the firstre-transfer recording method, since the dye receiving layer supportingsheet is not directly used so as to form the image.

When the method in which the drum is used as the intermediate recordsupport forming the closed loop (the method disclosed in Japanese PatentKokai Publication No.4-156384) is employed in the second re-transferrecording method, the intermediate record support can move speedily andwith stability. However, when the dye receiving layer on which the imagehas been recorded is re-transferred to the final image receiver in themethod in which the drum is used, the dye receiving layer, such aspaper, should be heated from its back surface (i.e., a surface which isopposite to a surface with which the drum contacts) or a drum as theintermediate record support should be heated. Therefore, it is difficultto control the heat upon re-transferring the dye receiving layer onwhich the image has been recorded to the image receiver, so that thereis a problem in that it is difficult to re-transfer with stability.

In contrast, when the method in which the belt is used as theintermediate record support forming the closed loop (the methoddisclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No.8-67016) is employed,a heating roller or a halogen lamp can be provided inside the belt whichforms the closed loop as a heating source so as to re-transfer the dyereceiving layer, on which the image has been formed, to the imagereceiver. Therefore, since the dye receiving layer on which the imagehas been recorded can be re-transferred by heating the belt and not byheating the image receiver, it can be relatively easy to control heatfor re-transferring. However, it is difficult to control meandering ofthe belt, so that there is a problem in that speedy and stable thermaltransfer of the recording image is difficult. Particularly, the belt asthe intermediate record support moves is an unstable fashion. Since theimage receiving layer is transferred onto such a belt and the image isthermal transfer recorded on the dye receiving layer on such a belt, itis conceived that versatility of the second re-transfer recording methodmay be reduced. Further, the halogen lamp, etc. is used as the heatingsource inside the belt. Therefore, it is conceived that since it isdifficult to control a temperature of the surface of the belt, theversatility of the second re-transfer recording method may be reduced.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention has been completed in order to solve the aboveproblems. An object of the present invention is to provide a novelthermal transfer recording apparatus (such as a thermal transferprinter) for thermal transfer recording and a novel thermal transferrecording method (such as a thermal transfer printing method) whichalleviate or substantially solve at least one of the problems in that arecording speed of an image is low, a stability of recording is poor,and a running cost of recording is high when the thermal transferrecording is carried out while recording a glossy and high quality imagepreferably in a digital mode. The thermal transfer recording method ofthe present invention is preferably carried out by using the thermaltransfer recording apparatus of the present invention.

In an aspect of the present invention, a novel thermal transferrecording apparatus is provided, which comprises:

an intermediate record support which forms a closed loop and extendsover a plurality of drums which are placed separately,

a dye receiving layer transfer section having a dye receiving layertransfer head which faces to a part of the intermediate record supporton an outer periphery of one drum of the plurality of the drums,

an image recording section having at least one image recording headwhich faces to a part of the intermediate record support on the outerperiphery of the one drum, and

an image transfer section having an image transfer head which faces tothe intermediate record support inside of the closed loop.

According to the present invention, the intermediate record supportextends over the plurality of the drums (for example, two or more drums)which are placed separately so as to form the closed loop. Therefore, aportion of the outer periphery of each of the plurality of the drumsspaced separately contacts with a portion of the intermediate recordsupport (which corresponds to the above parts of the intermediate recordsupport). That is, each of the portions of the intermediate recordsupport is positioned around each of such portions of the peripheries.As to the drum on which the part of the intermediate record support ispositioned while the image recording head faces the intermediate recordsupport, the intermediate record support is positioned around,preferably, not less than half of the whole outer periphery and, morepreferably, not less than two thirds of the whole outer periphery of thedrum.

The “dye receiving layer transfer section” herein is a region in which adye receiving layer is transferred to the intermediate record support byheating a dye receiving layer transferee. More concretely, in the “dyereceiving layer transfer section”, the dye receiving layer transferer isheated by the image receiving layer transfer head while being pressed toand contacted with the intermediate record support, so that the dyereceiving layer of which its adhesive property has been enhanced movesfrom the dye receiving layer transferer to the intermediate recordsupport.

The “image recording section” is a region in which a dye tranferer isheated and a dye is thermally transferred to the dye receiving layerwhich has been transferred onto the intermediate record support, so thatan image is formed on the dye receiving layer. More concretely, in the“image recording section”, the dye transferer is heated by the imagerecording head while being pressed to and contacted with the dyereceiving layer which has been transferred onto the intermediate recordsupport, so that the dye moves from the dye transferer to the dyereceiving layer (i.e., the dye thermally transfers) and the image isformed through the thermal transfer recording. It is noted that the “dyetransferer” is a medium which includes a dye layer containing the dye toform the image.

The “image transfer section” is a region in which the intermediaterecord support is heated, so that the dye receiving layer on which theimage has been recorded is re-transferred to an image receiver. Moreconcretely, in the “image transfer section”, the dye receiving layer onwhich the image has been formed is heated by the image transfer headwhile being pressed to and contacted with the image receiver, so thatthe dye receiving layer of which its adhesive property has been enhancedis transferred to the image receiver. It is noted that the “imagereceiver” can be said to be a “final image receiver”.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention, bydriving at least one drum of the plurality of the drums which are placedseparately, the intermediate record support which constructs the closedloop moves and circulates along the closed loop which is formed by theouter peripheries of the plurality of the drums. The dye receiving layertransfer section, the image recording section and the image transfersection are arranged in series in the listed sequence along the moving(or running) direction of the intermediate record support.

When a term “upper reach (or upstream)” or a term “lower reach (ordownstream)” is used in the present specification, those terms are basedon the moving direction of the intermediate record support. Therefore, adirection from which the intermediate record support comes is called“upper reach”, and a direction toward which the intermediate recordsupport goes is called “lower reach”. Thus, in the thermal transferrecording apparatus of the present invention, the dye receiving layertransfer section, the image recording section and the image transfersection are arranged in such a listed sequence from the upper reach tothe lower reach.

Furthermore, in the present specification, when a term “transfer” isused, the “transfer” means that the dye receiving layer of the dyereceiving layer transferer is moved to the intermediate record supportby heating the dye receiving layer transferee.

Further, the “thermal transfer” or the “thermal transfer recording”means that the dye transferer (or dye thermal transferer) is heated, sothat the dye is moved to the dye receiving layer on the intermediaterecord support, whereby the image is formed (recorded or printed) on thedye receiving layer.

In addition, the “re-transfer” means that the dye receiving layer onwhich the image has been recorded is heated, so that the dye receivinglayer moves from the intermediate record support to the (final) imagereceiver.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a thermal transferrecording method is provided. The method of the present invention ischaracterized in that it comprises:

a dye receiving layer transfer step in which the dye receiving layer istransferred onto the intermediate record support by heating a backsurface of the dye receiving layer transferer in the dye receiving layertransfer section,

an image recording step in which the dye is transferred to the dyereceiving layer on the intermediate record support by heating a backsurface of the dye transferer in the image recording section, so thatthe image is thermal transfer recorded, and

an image transfer step in which the dye receiving layer on which theimage has been recorded is re-transferred to the (final) image receiverby heating a back surface of the intermediate record support in theimage transfer section.

The dye receiving layer transfer step is carried out by using the dyereceiving layer transfer head which is placed so as to face (a part of)the intermediate record support which is located on the drum and formsthe closed loop. The image recording step is carried out by using theimage recording head which is placed so as to face (a part of) theintermediate record support which is positioned on the drum and formsthe closed loop. Moreover, the image transfer step is carried out byusing the image transfer head which is placed in the inside of theclosed loop. The method is carried out, preferably, by using theapparatus such as a thermal transfer recording apparatus according tothe present invention as described above.

More concretely, the method of the present invention is carried out asfollows.

In the dye receiving layer transfer step, the dye receiving layertransferer which provides the dye receiving layer is supplied from asource thereof, and the dye receiving layer is heated by the dyereceiving layer transfer head while being pressed to the intermediaterecord support, so that the dye receiving layer becomes in a conditionof adhering to the intermediate record support. Then, the dye receivinglayer and the intermediate record support are cooled together whilebeing maintained integrally. Thereafter, the image receiving layertransferer is separated from the intermediate record support, andpreferably separated at an angle not smaller than a given angle, so thatthe dye receiving layer alone is left on the intermediate recordsupport, and thereby the dye receiving layer is transferred to theintermediate record support.

In the image recording step, the dye transferer which provides the dyelayer is supplied from a source thereof, and the dye layer is heated bythe image recording head while being pressed to the dye receiving layeron the intermediate record support, so that the dye contained in the dyelayer moves to the dye receiving layer on the intermediate recordsupport and the image to be formed by the dye is printed. Then the dyetransferer and the intermediate record support are cooled together whilebeing maintained integrally. Thereafter, the dye transferer is separatedfrom the intermediate record support, so that the image receiving layeralone is left on the intermediate record support, and thereby the imageis formed. An image is formed by using a next dye in a method similar tothe above described method on the dye receiving layer which already hasthe image formed as described above, when an image is formed by using aplurality of dyes in sequence.

In the image transfer step, the image receiver is supplied from a sourcethereof, the image receiver is heated by the image transfer head whilebeing pressed to the image receiving layer on the intermediate recordsupport, so that the dye receiving layer on the intermediate recordsupport attaches to the image receiver. Then, the image receiver and theintermediate record support are cooled together while maintainedintegrally. Then, the intermediate record support is separated from theimage receiver, so that the dye receiving layer is left on the imagereceiver and thereby the image is re-transferred on the image receiver.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the intermediate recordsupport which is used for the thermal transfer recording apparatus orthermal transfer recording method as described above is provided.

Both of the dye receiving layer transfer head and the image recordinghead face to the intermediate record support on the outer periphery ofthe drum from the outside of the closed loop and the image transfer headfaces the intermediate record support from the inside of the closedloop. As a result thereof, as to recording the glossy and high qualityimage, the present invention provides the thermal transfer recordingapparatus and the thermal transfer recording method which alleviate atleast one of the problems in that the thermal recording speed of theimage is low, the stability of the recording is poor, and the runningcost of the recording is high.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a thermal transfer recording apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view and a cross-sectional view across a direction ofan axis of an example of an intermediate record support;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view along an axis direction of anexample of a larger diameter drum;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a dye receivinglayer transferee;

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the thermal transfer recordingapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the thermal transfer recordingapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a meandering preventive mechanism for theintermediate record support; and

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the thermal transfer recordingapparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the presentinvention, an intermediate record support which forms a closed loop (oran endless loop) extends over a plurality of drums which are placedseparately from each other (therefore, parts of the closed loop, whichis formed by the intermediate record support, are in the plane contactcondition with parts of the outer peripheries of the plurality of drumswhich are separately placed), both a dye receiving layer transfer headand an image recording head face, from the outside of the closed loop,to the intermediate record support on the outer periphery of one drum,and an image transfer head faces the intermediate record support fromthe inside of the closed loop.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention,the intermediate record support which forms the closed loop moves (orruns) and circulates around the plurality of drums which are separatelyplaced, so that the dye receiving layer which has been transferred ontothe intermediate record support in the dye receiving layer transfersection is moved to the image recording section where the image isthermal transfer recorded on the dye receiving layer, and the dyereceiving layer on which the image has been recorded in the imagerecording section is re-transferred to the (final) image receiver in theimage transfer section.

The image recording section may comprise a single image recording headwhen the image is printed (recorded) by using a single dye transferee,for example when the image is printed with a single color (i.e., whenthe image is formed with gradation of the single color) or when variouscoloring dye layers are formed in series on a single dye transferer(i.e., when dye layers of three primary colors of Y (yellow), for M(magenta) and for C (cyan) are formed repeatedly in sequence) asdescribed in the following. In the latter case, when the formation ofthe image with one color is finished, it is generally necessary tocirculate the intermediate record support once and to place the samesingle image recording head at a starting position for the imagerecording in order to form an image with a next color.

When the images of the three primary colors (Y (yellow), M (magenta) andC (cyan)) are recorded using different dye transferers, respectively,the image recording section may comprise three image recording heads(i.e., an image recording head for Y (yellow), an image recording headfor M (magenta) and an image recording head for C (cyan)) which face theintermediate record support around the same drum in sequence. In thiscase, the sections in which the images of Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C(cyan) are recorded are referred to as an image recording section for Y(yellow), an image recording section for M (magenta) and an imagerecording section for C (cyan), respectively. The image recordingsection comprises the image recording sections for Y, M and C.

In the above described embodiment, both of the dye receiving layertransfer section and the image recording section are arranged in theoutside of the intermediate record support on the outer periphery of thesame drum so that they face the support. In other embodiment, the dyereceiving layer transfer section and the image recording section may bearranged at the outside of the intermediate record support on outerperipheries of different drums to which they face.

Therefore, in the other embodiment, the present invention provides athermal transfer recording apparatus comprising:

an intermediate record support which forms a closed loop and extendsover a plurality of drums which are placed separately,

a dye receiving layer transfer section having a dye receiving layertransfer head which faces to a part of the intermediate record supporton an outer periphery of one drum of the plurality of drums,

an image recording section having at least one image recording headwhich faces to a part of the intermediate record support on an outerperiphery of a drum which is different from the one drum, and

an image transfer section having an image transfer head which faces theintermediate record support from an inside of the closed loop.

In the specification, the term “drum” means a cylindrical member ofwhich its diameter is relatively larger than its length (or height). Aterm “roller” means a cylindrical member of which its diameter isrelatively smaller than its length (or height). However, these terms arenot strictly distinguished in the field related to the presentinvention, which is applicable to the specification in a similarfashion.

However, in the specification, a drum is called as a “larger diameterdrum” in principle, and the image recording section is arranged so as toface the intermediate record support on the outer periphery of thelarger diameter drum, and the other drum(s) is referred to as a “smallerdiameter drum(s)” or a “roller(s)” in principle. This is based on thefact that the “drum” around which the image recording section isarranged so as to face the intermediate record support on the outerperiphery of the drum usually has a larger diameter than the otherdrums. For convenience's sake, the other drums are referred to as the“smaller diameter drums” or the “rollers”.

There is no particular limitation as to the size of the larger diameterdrum. However, the diameter thereof is preferably in the range of 80-250mm from a viewpoint of downsizing of the apparatus and arrangement ofthe image recording section therein.

When both the image receiving layer transfer section and the imagerecording section are placed so as to face to the intermediate recordsupport on the outer periphery of the same one drum, and the imagerecording section comprises the single image recording head, thediameter of the larger diameter drum is preferably in the range of80-150 mm and more preferably in the range of 100-130 mm.

When both the image receiving layer transfer section and the imagerecording section are placed so as to face the intermediate recordsupport on the outer periphery of the same one drum, and the imagerecording section comprises the image recording section for Y, the imagerecording section for M and the image recording section for C, thediameter of the larger diameter drum is preferably in the range of150-250 mm and more preferably in the range of 180-220 mm.

When the dye receiving layer transfer section and the image recordingsection are arranged so as to face the outside of the intermediaterecord support on the outer peripheries of the different drums to whichthose two sections facet respectively, and the image recording sectioncomprises the single image recording head, the diameter of the smallerdiameter drum which is arranged so as to face to the intermediate recordsupport on the outer periphery of the smaller diameter drum ispreferably in the range of 40-70 mm, and more preferably in the range of50-60 mm. The diameter of the larger diameter drum is preferably in therange of 80-150 mm, and more preferably in the range of 100-130 mm.

When the dye receiving layer transfer section and the image recordingsection are arranged so as to face to the outside of the intermediaterecord support on the outer peripheries of the different drums to whichthose two sections face respectively, and the image recording sectioncomprises the image recording section for Y, the image recording sectionfor M and the image recording section for C, the diameter of the smallerdiameter drum, which is arranged around so as to face the intermediaterecord support on the outer periphery of the smaller diameter drum, ispreferably in the range of 40-70 mm and more preferably in the range of50-60 mm. The diameter of the larger diameter drum is preferably in therange of 120-180 mm and more preferably in the range of 140-160 mm.

When the dye receiving layer transfer section and the image recordingsection are arranged so as to face to the outside of the intermediaterecord support on the outer peripheries of the different drums to whichthose two sections are opposed, respectively, controlling the dyereceiving layer transfer step in which the dye receiving layer istransferred onto the intermediate record support in the dye receivinglayer transfer section is independent of controlling the image recordingstep in which the image is recorded on the dye receiving layer in theimage recording section, which is preferable. Moreover, the abovearrangement is more preferable since a cold-releasing distance can beensured wherein the dye receiving layer transferer which is bonded tothe intermediate record support by heating in the dye receiving layertransfer section is cooled enough before the dye receiving layer isreleased as described below. Furthermore, since the diameter of thelarger diameter drum can be optimized, the larger diameter drum can bedriven in a more stable fashion, so that the image can be recorded in amore stable fashion, which is more preferable.

The “recording temporary support” in the present invention is abelt-form (or belt-like) medium which forms the closed (endless) loopwherein the dye receiving layer is heated and transferred onto thesupport, the image is thermal transfer recorded on the dye receivinglayer on the support which has been thus transferred, and the dyereceiving layer on which the image has been thus recorded isre-transferred from the support to the (final) image receiver. There isno particular limitation on the intermediate record support so long asit is thermally and mechanically strong.

The intermediate record support forms the endless closed loop in thepresent apparatus, and it comprises a substrate which forms an endlessloop.

There is no particular limitation on the “substrate” for theintermediate record support so long as it is thermally resistant andmechanically stable.

Such a substrate may be made of a heat resistive film such as apolyimide film, an aramid film, a polyetherether-ketone (PEEK) film or apolyphenylenesulfide (PPS) film.

The substrate thickness is preferably in the range of 12-50 μm, and morepreferably in the range of 25-40 μm. In particular, the polyimide filmof which its thickness is in the range of 25-50 μm is preferable.

A commercially available product can be used as the above substrate.

Examples of the polyimide film include so-called ordinary grade films(such as Captone 100H (trade name) manufactured by Toray-Du Pont Co.,Ltd.). A thermally and mechanically more stable polyimide film ispreferred.

As such a polyimide film, one having small heat shrinkage ratio andelongation is particularly preferred.

“Heat shrinkage ratio” in the present specification means a value whichis determined according to the method described in ASTM D-1204. The heatshrinkage ratio of the polyimide film is preferably not more than 0.3%,more preferably not more than 0.1%, and particularly preferably not morethan 0.05%.

“Elongation” in the present specification means a value which isdetermined according to the method described in ASTM D-882. Theelongation of the polyimide film is preferably not more than 80%, morepreferably not more than 70%, and particularly preferably not more than60%.

Examples of the polyimide film of which both heat shrinkage ratio andelongation are excellent and which has a thickness of 25 μm includesCaptone 100V and 100EN (trade names) manufactured by Toray-Du Pont Co.,Ltd. and UPILEX 25S (trade name) manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.Captone 100EN manufactured by Toray-Du Pont Co., Ltd. is particularlypreferred. Captone 100EN manufactured by Toray-Du Pont Co., Ltd. has aheat shrinkage ratio of 0.02% and Captone 100H manufactured by Toray-DuPont Co., Ltd. has a heat shrinkage ratio of 0.3%. Therefore, Captone100EN manufactured by Toray-Du Pont Co., Ltd. has a rather excellentheat shrinkage ratio. Moreover, Captone 100EN manufactured by Toray-DuPont Co., Ltd. has an elongation of 57% and Captone 100H manufactured byToray-Du Pont Co., Ltd. has an elongation of 80%. Therefore, Captone100EN manufactured by Toray-Du Pont Co., Ltd. also has a ratherexcellent elongation.

Furthermore, such a polyimide film having a small contact angle is morepreferable.

The “contact angle” in the specification is a value which is determinedwith respect to water by using a contact angle measuring apparatus ofFACE CA-Z type manufactured by Kyowa-Kaimen-Kagaku Co., Ltd. Thepolyimide film has a contact angle preferably of not more than 55degrees, more preferably of not more than 40 degrees, and particularlypreferably of not more than 30 degrees.

The above mentioned polyimide film has a contact angle of 55 degreesjust after the production of the film. However, the polyimide film canbe changed so as to have a contact angle of not more than 40 degrees bya treatment of the film such as a plasma treatment and a coronatreatment. The polyimide film is preferably used after the polyimidefilm is modified by a treatment to provide an improved adhesive propertysuch as the plasma treatment and the corona treatment etc.

Further, after the production of the above described polyimide film,heat stability of the film can be improved by, for example, annealingthe film at a temperature of not less than 200° C. (for example,maintaining the film at a given temperature of not less than 200° C. fora predetermined period). The film which has been improved by such atreatment is d preferably used.

The “substrate” for the intermediate record support (i.e., the closedloop substrate) can be prepared by connecting both end portions of thebelt-form or elongated strip-like “substrate” for the intermediaterecord support as described above in an appropriate method. There is noparticular limitation on the connecting method so long as the connectionpart which is obtained by the method has both excellent heat resistanceand mechanical stability. For example, the closed loop substrate can beprepared, e.g., by connecting both end portions of the above described“substrate” by using a heat resistive adhesive tape such as a polyimidebased adhesive tape.

Examples of such a closed loop substrate include a closed loop substratewhich is prepared by connecting both end portions of a polyimide filmstrip by the polyimide based adhesive tape. A commercially availablepolyimide based adhesive tape can be used. For example, polyimide basedadhesive tapes 360pc, 360A and 360R manufactured by Nitto Denko Co. areexemplified.

An outer surface of the “closed loop substrate” for the intermediaterecord support which is obtained as described above may be roughened bythe shape effect. Being roughened by the shape effect means that thesurface is in a microscopically rough condition. When the substrate hassuch a surface, there is provided an excellent effect in that anadhesion between the substrate and the dye receiving layer is increased.

Moreover, the intermediate record support may have a functional layer onthe outside of the closed loop substrate (i.e., on a side opposite to aside which contacts with the larger diameter drum). The “functionallayer” functions to make it easy for the intermediate record support toreceive the dye receiving layer, to protect the closed loop substrateand to improve sensitivity of the image recording. It is noted that theoutside of the closed loop substrate is also referred to as a “frontsurface”, and the inside of the closed loop substrate is also referredto as a “back surface”.

The functional layer is preferably thermally insulative, more preferablyflexible, and particularly preferably thermos table.

Examples of such a functional layer include a layer containing at leastone rubber selected from a fluororubber and a silicone rubber. The layerpreferably has a thickness in the range of 5-30 μm.

A fluororubber of a tercopolymer of vinylidene fluoride,hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene (biton) is preferred as thefluororubber. Moreover, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a copolymer oftetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether, a fluororesin basedon vinyliden fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, and a so-called fluorinecontaining rubber and so on are also preferred.

A silicone rubber of which film can be prepared by additionpolymerization or condensation polymerization and which is used forvarious coatings, releasing paper and adhiesives, for example, ispreferred.

For example, these rubbers preferably contain at least one kind of fineparticles selected from carbon and magnesium oxide.

In order to improve the sensitivity of the image recording, the abovedescribed functional layer is preferably in a two layered structure,wherein one layer which is in contact with the outside of the closedloop substrate (i.e., a layer adjacent to the front surface) is formedas a porous layer (a lower layer) and the other layer is formed on thelower layer as a less porous layer (an upper layer) in comparison withthe lower layer.

When the functional layer having such two layered structure is formed,for example, by using the above mentioned fluororubber, the functionallayer preferably comprises a porous lower layer and a smooth upper layerwherein the lower layer contains a fluororubber including a lot of fineparticles of, for example, carbon and the upper layer contains afluororubber including less fine particles than the fluororubber for thelower layer.

Thus, it is preferable that the functional layer comprises thefluororubber and it includes a thermally insulative and porous portion.Moreover, the porous portion of the functional layer is preferably aportion which contacts with the front surface of the closed loopsubstrate.

Furthermore, the intermediate record support may comprise aheat-resistant sliding layer on the inside of the closed loop substrate(i.e., on the back surface of the closed loop substrate).

The “heat-resistant sliding layer” means a layer to protect the closedloop substrate from deformation caused by heat of the image transferhead of the image transfer section and to provide a sliding ability tothe image transfer head which contacts with the heat-resistant slidinglayer, so that the abrasion of the image transfer head and the damage ofthe substrate of the intermediate record support are prevented.Generally, the heat-resistant sliding layer is preferably similar to aheat-resistant sliding layer which is used for the dye receiving layertransferer as described later.

At least one drum is driven and rotated, so that the intermediate recordsupport is moved and circulated by means of a frictional force betweenthe drum and the intermediate record support. Usually, the intermediaterecord support is moved by driving the larger diameter drum. Another oneor more drums (the smaller diameter drums or rollers) may be driven inaddition to the larger diameter drum, so that the drive of the largerdiameter drum may be assisted.

The sprocket wheel and sprocket hole manner (or mode) (henceforth, alsoreferred to as a “sprocket manner (or mode)”) may be additionally usedfor driving the intermediate record support. In this case, the sprocketholes are provided along both of the edge portions of the intermediaterecord support. In this case, strength of the intermediate recordsupport is preferably improved by duplicating both edge regions of theclosed loop substrate having the sprocket holes.

Moreover, various widths of the intermediate record support as describedabove can be selected depending on the size of the image to be recorded.Such width preferably corresponds to the width of the “drum”.

Furthermore, the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the presentinvention may comprise an additional “drum”, if necessary (particularlyin order to move the intermediate record support smoothly). Theadditional “drum” contacts with the closed loop of the intermediaterecord support, and a part of the outer periphery of the additional“drum” forms a part of the closed loop of the intermediate recordsupport. The additional “drum” may be one or plural, and may include aso-called “roller” (or guide roller).

At least one drum, preferably the larger diameter drum, of which outerperiphery contacts with a part of the closed loop of the intermediaterecord support comprises an elastic member having a rubber hardness inthe range of 60-70 degrees around the circumference of the surface. Thedrum is driven with a driving apparatus which is linked with the drumcomprising the elastic member around the surface, so that theintermediate record support is moved by the drum. This drive is referredto as a main drive and the drive section for the main drive is referredto as a main drive section.

Furthermore, the intermediate record support may be driven using adriving apparatus which transmits a force to another drum of which outerperiphery forms a part of the closed loop of the intermediate recordsupport. By this driving apparatus, auxiliary drive for the intermediaterecord support is carried out. The drive section for the auxiliary driveis referred to as an auxiliary drive section. The intermediate recordsupport can be driven more smoothly through the combination of the maindrive with the auxiliary drive.

A main driving force for the intermediate record support is provided asa friction force between the elastic member of the drum and the backsurface of the intermediate record support. It is noted that when aperipheral speed (or a speed of the outer periphery) of the auxiliarydrive is faster than that of the main drive, the intermediate recordsupport is driven stably, even if a large tension is applied to theintermediate record support.

Furthermore, a driving mechanism which is called a sprocket manner (ormode) as described above may be additionally used to drive theintermediate record support. Protruding portions (i.e., sprockets) whichengage with sprocket holes which can be provided with the abovedescribed recording temporary support are formed around a periphery ofthe drum along both of its edge portions which drum the elastic memberis provided with and which drum is used for the main drive. Therefore,the drum which is used for the main drive has the elastic member such asa rubber having a rubber hardness of 60-70 degrees around the peripheryof the drum except for the both edge portions thereof.

In the sprocket manner, the intermediate record support is driven bymeans of a driving apparatus which is linked with a main axis of thedrum which the protruding portions are provided with. The main drivingforce of the intermediate record support is still the friction forcebetween the elastic member on the surface of the drum and the backsurface of the intermediate record support, but sliding between theelastic member and the back surface of the intermediate record supportis surely prevented by using the protruding portions of the drum whichengage with the sprocket holes of the intermediate record support. Themechanism of the sprocket holes and the protruding portions alsofunctions as a meandering preventive mechanism.

When the sprocket manner is not used, it is not necessary to provide theintermediate record support with the sprocket holes or to provide thedrum with the protruding portions. Therefore, both the width of theintermediate record support and the width of the drum can be narrowed bya width which corresponds to the sprocket holes and the protrudingportions.

It is noted that the drum which is used for the above main drive ispreferably the larger diameter drum and the drum which is used for theauxiliary drive is preferably a smaller diameter drum which alsofunctions as a releasing roller in the image transfer section asdescribed below.

The dye receiving layer transfer section comprises the dye receivinglayer transfer head, and moreover preferably comprises a cold-releasingmechanism for the dye receiving layer transferee, a rewinding sectionand a winding section for the dye receiving layer transferee. The dyereceiving layer transfer head is positioned outside the intermediaterecord support on the outer periphery of the larger diameter drum or thesmaller diameter drum as described above.

In the dye receiving layer transfer section, the dye receiving layer ofthe dye receiving layer transferer which is provided from the rewindingsection is transferred on the intermediate record support by beingpressed to the intermediate record support while heated from the backsurface of the transferee, by being heated after being pressed to theintermediate record support, or by being pressed to the intermediaterecord support after being heated by the dye receiving layer transferhead.

An edge-face head is used as the dye receiving layer transfer head. Forexample, a commercially available edge-face head for image recording(resolution of 300 dpi) can be used. More concretely, a line recordinghead having a resolution of 300 dpi is preferably used. Further, aC-shaped edge-face head described below may be used.

In the present specification, the “edge-face head” means a heating meanswhich can effectively press wherein a convex glaze is formed on athickness dimension part of a ceramic substrate having a thickness ofabout 1 mm, and a heater array is formed on the center part in theconvex glaze. Each of fine heater elements which form the heater arraycan be heated independently. Therefore, a specific heater element(s)alone in the heater array can be heated, so that only the part(s) to beheated can be heated more surely and precisely in comparison with theprior heating methods using, for example, a heating roll or a heatingpress and so on. The above is similarly applicable to head(s) other thanthe dye receiving layer transfer head. A head which is called a thermalhead or a thermal transfer head and which is widely used in the thermaltransfer type printers and facsimiles, etc. can be used as the heads inthe present invention.

Since the dye receiving layer is transferred onto the intermediaterecord support on the drum using the “edge-face head” as the dyereceiving layer transfer head, it is easy to control heat to be appliedwhen the dye receiving layer is transferred, so that the dye receivinglayer can be transferred more stably. A “C-shaped edge-face head” inwhich a heating array is formed on a C-shaped edge-face surface(C-shaped edge-face portion of surface connection) of the ceramicsubstrate may be used in place of the “edge-face head”. Such a head isadvantageous since its pressing force can be enlarged relative to theconventional “edge-face head”.

The “cold-releasing mechanism for the dye receiving layer transferer”means a mechanism in which the dye receiving layer attaching attached tothe intermediate record support through heating with the dye receivinglayer transfer head is cooled integrally in such an attached state, andthen the dye receiving layer transferer is released from theintermediate record support preferably at an angle not less than acertain angle. By such releasing, the dye receiving layer is left on theintermediate record support so that it is transferred. In order to carryout the transfer stably, it is important to cool the dye receiving layerand the intermediate record support enough in the cold-releasingmechanism. Such a cold-releasing mechanism may be a mechanism which canretain both the dye receiving layer and the intermediate record support(which move on the drum) for a predetermined period as they areintegral. Concretely, the mechanism may be a roller or a press, etc.which is placed on the drum downstream the head. Such the cold-releasingmechanism is applicable to a case in which releasing is carried outafter heating by the other head (such as an image recording head, and animage transfer head). A cold-releasing angle in the cold-releasingmechanism is preferably not less than 45 degrees, more preferably notless than 60 degrees, and particularly preferably not less than 90degrees in order to transfer the dye receiving layer stably when the dyereceiving layer is released from the intermediate record support in thecold-releasing mechanism. The above cold-releasing angle is also appliedto another case when the dye receiving layer is released after it hasbeen heated with other head.

When the dye receiving layer transferer is released from theintermediate record support on the outer periphery of the drum in thecold-releasing mechanism, with respect to an intersection line of theintermediate record support with a plane along which the dye receivinglayer transferer is wound by the winding section for the dye receivinglayer transferee, the “cold-releasing angle” is an angle formed by aplane which is tangent to the outer periphery of the drum with the planealong which the dye receiving layer transferer is wound into the windingsection for the dye receiving layer transferer (an angle a indicated inFIG. 1 which is described below). On the other hand, when the dyereceiving layer transferer is released from the intermediate recordsupport which is not on the outer periphery of the drum in thecold-releasing mechanism, with respect to an intersection line of theintermediate record support with a plane along which the, dye receivinglayer transferer is wound by the winding section for the dye receivinglayer transferee, the “cold-releasing angle” is an angle formed by theintermediate record support with the plain along which the dye receivinglayer transferer is wound by the winding section for the dye receivinglayer transfer (an angle β displayed in FIG. 5 which is describedbelow).

The dye receiving layer transferer comprises a “substrate” as a base andthe dye receiving layer. The substrate supports the dye receiving layerwhich is formed on the front surface of the substrate. There is noparticular limitation on the “substrate” for the dye receiving layertransferer so long as it is mechanically strong, elastic, heatresistive, and solvent resistive as a base. A substrate which isequivalent to a “substrate” for the dye transferer as described belowcan be used as the “substrate” for the dye receiving layer transferee.

A plastic film such as a polyester film, a polycarbonate film, apolyamide film and a polyimide film is preferably exemplified and theypreferably have a thickness in the range of 6-12 μm. The polyester filmhaving a thickness of in the range of 6-12 μm is particularlypreferable.

Commercially available films can be used as the substrate.

It is noted that a “front surface” of the substrate means a surface thatthe dye receiving layer transferer faces or contacts with theintermediate record support.

Considering a quality of the image which is formed on the dye receivinglayer, a sensitivity of the dye receiving layer which receives the dye,easinesses of cutting and transfer of the dye receiving layer, andstability of adhesion of the dye receiving layer on the intermediaterecord support and so on, the “dye receiving layer” of the dye receivinglayer transferer is formed using a composition which can form such thedye receiving layer. There is no particular limitation on the “dyereceiving layer” so long as it complies with the above properties. It isnoted that the “easiness of cutting” means an extent to which only apredetermined part of the dye receiving layer on the substrate of thedye receiving layer transferer remains on the intermediate recordsupport easily (therefore, only the predetermined part can substantiallybe cut off), when such part is heated so that such part alone isattached to and unified with the intermediate record support as a singlebody, followed by releasing the dye receiving layer transferer (i.e.,the substrate) after cooling the body.

Such the dye receiving layer is preferably formed from a compositioncomprising an acrylic polyol resin and the other thermoplastic resin.Moreover, the dye receiving layer is more preferably formed from acomposition comprising the acrylic polyol resin and a plurality of theother thermoplastic resins. Additionally, a crosslinking agent andvarious additives may be added to the composition to form the dyereceiving layer. A material to be applied (or coated) from which the dyereceiving layer is formed is prepared using the above mentionedcomposition and a solvent which dissolves the composition. Such materialto be applied is preferably uniform as a whole. Moreover, it ispreferable that the acrylic polyol resin and the other thermoplasticresin(s) to form the dye receiving layer are compatible and capable ofbeing homogeneous as a whole.

In general, an acrylic resin (including a methacrylic resin and a resinprepared by copolymerization of an acrylic monomer and a methacrylicmonomer) which is excellent in its transparency has not been ofinterested hereto as a resin to form the dye receiving layer used forthe thermal transfer recording. It seems that this is because theacrylic resin is poor in the dye receiving property that is an importantcharacteristic which the resin to form the dye receiving layer isrequired to have. However, among the acrylic resins, the acrylic polyolresin which is an acrylic resin having a hydroxyl group has an improveddye receiving property depending on an amount of the hydroxyl groupcontained. Therefore, the acrylic polyol resin can be selected as theresin which, while maintaining a film strength of the image receivinglayer, forms an image receiving layer of which transparency is excellentand of which dye receiving property is improved.

In the present specification, the “acrylic polyol resin” is a so-calledacrylic resin having two or more hydroxyl groups in one molecule. Anexample thereof is an acrylic resin which is prepared bycopolymerization of a (meth)acrylic monomer having a hydroxyl group witha (meth)acrylic ester. The acrylic polyol resin herein preferably has ahydroxyl value of not less than 30, more preferably in the range from 30to 150, further more preferably in the range from 40 to 90, andparticularly preferably about 50. Its glass transition temperature (Tg)is preferably in the range from 40 to 70° C., and more preferably in therange from 50 to 60° C.

A commercially available acrylic polyol resin may be used as the acrylicpolyol resin.

In the present specification, the “other thermoplastic resin” refers toa resin which is capable of providing properties such as a dye receivingproperty and a dye solubility to the acrylic polyol resin and is alsocapable of improving the properties of the dye receiving layer by beingused in combination with the acrylic polyol resin. Such “otherthermoplastic resin” preferably is at least one selected from apolyester resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin(henceforth, sometimes referred to as “a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetateresin”), and a silicone resin. In addition, the “other thermoplasticresin” is preferably constituted of two or more kinds of resins selectedfrom the polyester resin, the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymerresin, and the silicone resin.

The use of the polyester resin as the “other thermoplastic resin” ispreferable because it improves the dye receiving property of the dyereceiving layer. The “polyester resin” herein may be a so-calledpolyester resin. A low molecular weight polyester resin is preferable asthe polyester resin. An upper limit of the number-average molecularweight (Mn) of the low molecular weight polyester resin is preferably15,000, more preferably 10,000, and particularly preferably 6,000. Alower limit of the number-average molecular weight (Mn) of the lowmolecular weight polyester resin is preferably 2,000, more preferably3,000, and particularly preferably 5,000. A range of the number-averagemolecular weight (Mn) of the low molecular weight polyester resin ispreferably from 2,000 to 15,000, more preferably from 3,000 to 10,000,and particularly preferably from 5,000 to 6,000. In addition, thepolyester resin is preferably a polyester polyol resin, whose hydroxylvalue is preferably not less than 10, more preferably from 10 to 200,and particularly preferably from 10 to 70.

Moreover, a polyester resin having a skeleton such as bisphenol Askeleton is preferred because it provides the dye receiving layer withreleasability from the dye layer during the thermal transfer recording(henceforth, referred to as “releasability”). Furthermore, a polyesterresin having a skeleton which comprises maleic acid as an acid componentand an adduct of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol with bisphenol A asa glycol component is particularly excellent.

Those polyester resins are preferable because they have enoughcompatibility with the acrylic polyol resin and provide a homogenizedbinary transparent resin layer containing the acrylic polyol resin andthe polyester resin, which layer has a high dye receiving property and ahigh film strength.

A commercially available polyester resin may be used as such polyesterresin.

It is noted that a typical (saturated linear) polyester resin (of whichnumber-average molecular weight (Mn) is about 20,000 or more) ispreferable in its good dye receiving property, but also has a problem ofhigh tackiness. In addition, when the acrylic polyol resin and thetypical (saturated linear) polyester resin are used together andcompatibility between them is not sufficient, it may be difficult toform a smooth and transparent film.

However, even the above, such a typical (saturated linear) polyesterresin (of which number-average molecular weight (Mn) is about 20,000 ormore) can be used when it has a sufficient compatibility with theacrylic polyol resin. It can form a homogenized binary transparent resinlayer with a high dye receiving property and a high film strength, andit has not-too-high tackiness.

The use of the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin as the “otherthermoplastic resin” is preferable because it improves the dye receivingproperty of the dye receiving layer. The “vinyl chloride-vinyl acetateresin” herein may be a so-called vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin. Anadditional monomer may be used in the polymerization for the vinylchloride-vinyl acetate resin. As such, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetateresin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin having a hydroxyl group atan end of a molecule is preferable. A vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-vinylalcohol copolymer is preferable. The vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resinpreferably has a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range from 60to 80°, and more preferably in the range from 65 to 75° C. In order toimprove the image stability, a content of moieties derived from vinylchloride in the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin (a content of vinylchloride in a monomer mixture when the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetateresin is obtained by polymerizing the monomer mixture) is preferably notmore than 85% by weight, more preferably from 75 to 85% by weight, andparticularly preferably from 80 to 82% by weight. The addition of thevinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin to a compatible resin system of theacrylic polyol resin and the polyester resin can provide a ternaryhomogenious resin system which has further improved dye receivingproperty and releasability. In addition, the use of a vinylchloride-vinyl acetate resin modified with a hydroxyl group ispreferable since it can improve the dye receiving property and thereleasability of the resin layer to be obtained.

It is particularly preferable that the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetateresin contains the moieties derived from vinyl chloride of not more than85% by weight in the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin, and is modifiedwith a hydroxyl group at an end of the molecule thereof.

A commercially available vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin may be usedas the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin.

It is noted that the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin is excellent inthe dye receiving property, but it has a problem in the stability ofimages recorded by dyeing, so that it is not easy to use the vinylchloride-vinyl acetate resin alone as the resin to form the dyereceiving layer. Therefore, the resin has conventionally been used as anauxiliary resin to form the dye receiving layer.

The use of a silicone resin as the “other thermoplastic resin” ispreferable since it improves flexibility of the dye receiving layer andreleasability of the dye receiving layer from the dye layer transferee.The “silicone resin” may be a so-called silicone resin. As such asilicone resin, an alkyd-modified silicone resin, a polyester-modifiedsilicone resin and an acryl-modified silicone resin are preferable sincethey can improve the dye receiving property and weather resistance. Amodified silicone resin having a hydroxyl group or a methoxy group formodification can be added to the silicone resin as a film formability(leveling ability) modifier. The silicone resins are preferable becausethey can make a soft network in the dye receiving layer so as to providea stable dye receiving layer which suffers from less degradation withaging and also they can improve the film formability (leveling ability)of the dye receiving layer.

A commercially available silicone resin may be used as the siliconeresin.

When each of the resins which constitute the resin system in which theabove silicone resin is added to the above binary or ternary compatibleresin system has a hydroxy group, a flexible and tough dye receivinglayer can be formed since a soft network is constituted throughout thewhole of the formed dye receiving layer.

The dye receiving layer transferer preferably comprises the acrylicpolyol resin having a hydroxy value of not less than 30, the polyesterresin having the bisphenol skeleton, the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetateresin and the silicone resin.

In addition, the composition comprising the acrylic polyol resin(s) andthe other thermoplastic resin(s) can contain a crosslinking agent. Theaddition of the crosslinking agent to the composition to form the dyereceiving layer can provide a high speed recording property (or a hightemperature recording property: an image can be recorded more rapidlysince it can be recorded at a high temperature) with the obtained dyereceiving layer, since the crosslinking agent can form a crosslinkingstructure within the acrylic polyol resin(s) itself (themselves), and ifpossible (that is, when the other resin(s) contains a hydroxy group),between the acrylic polyol resin and the other thermoplastic resin(s)and/or between the other thermoplastic resin(s) itself (themselves), sothat a partly crosslinked resin system is constructed.

As the “crosslinking agent”, a typical polyisocyanate compound (whichhas two or more isocyanate groups (−NCO) in one molecule) can form atransparent, tough and flexible crosslinked film, since thepolyisocyanate compound reacts with a polyol, etc. and forms a urethanebond in the film of the dye receiving layer.

An amount of the polyisocyanate compound is preferably from 0 to 5 partsby weight, and more preferably from 0 to 2 parts by weight, based on 100parts by weight of the sum of the acrylic polyol resin and theotherthermoplastic resin.

A commercially available polyisocyanate compound can be used as thepolyisocyanate compound. Specific examples of the polyisocyanatecompound include Colonate L (trade name) manufactured by NIPPONPOLYURETHANE INDUSTRY CO., LTD which is an ethyl acetate solution of apolyisocyanate compound which is obtained from tolylenediisocyanate(TDI) and a multi-functional alcohol, and Colonate HX (trade name)manufactured by NIPPON POLYURETHANE INDUSTRY CO., LTD which is obtainedusing hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI) as a raw material.

Moreover, the compositions to form the dye receiving layer whichcontains the acrylic polyol resin and the other thermoplastic resin cancontain various kinds of additives which are conventionally included inthe dye receiving layer in order to make the dye receiving layer whichpossesses desired properties. Examples of such additives include aresin-compatibility-dispersion accelerator, a releasing agent, variouslight stabilizers, an ultraviolet absorber, a quencher and anantioxidant, etc.

The “resin-compatibility-dispersion accelerator” means an agent forimproving the compatibility of the acrylic polyol resin with the otherthermoplastic resin(s). The “releasing agent” means an agent which iscapable of providing the image receiving layer with the releasability.Examples of the resin-compatibility-dispersion accelerator and/or thereleasing agent include a higher fatty acid ester and a silicone oilmodified with a higher fatty acid, etc. As the higher fatty acid ester,for example, an alcohol ester of a higher fatty acid such as butylstearate and an alcohol ester of a polybasic acid having a hydroxylgroup can be used.

A commercially available resin-compatibility-dispersion accelerator anda commercially available releasing agent can be used as theresin-compatibility-dispersion accelerator and the releasing agent.

The addition of the various light stabilizers, the ultraviolet absorber,the quencher and the antioxidant, etc can improve the stability of theimage on the dye receiving layer. A hindered amine based stabilizer(HALS) is preferable as the light stabilizer. A combination of asalicylic acid-based ultraviolet absorber, a benzophenone-basedultraviolet absorber and a benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorber ispreferable as the “ultraviolet absorber (UVA)”. The benzotriazole-basedultraviolet absorber is particularly preferable as UVA.

A commercially available light stabilizer, a commercially availableultraviolet absorber, a commercially available quencher and acommercially available antioxidant can be used as the light stabilizer,the ultraviolet absorber, the quencher and the antioxidant.

The dye receiving layer may be formed by a single layer alone and by twolayers or more as required, so that functions of the dye receiving layercan be separated. When the dye receiving layer is constituted by the twolayers, a resin having higher surface energy than a resin to form anunder layer is used as a resin to form an over layer. Considering basedon the composition to form the above dye receiving layer, an amount ofthe polyester resin is increased in the over layer and an amount of thevinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin is increased in the under layer, sothat a difference of the surface energy between the over layer and theunder layer can be provided. By this, the transfer of the dye receivinglayer onto the intermediate record support and the stability of thethermal transfer recording of the dye are further improved.

The dye receiving layer transferer can be produced by using a methodwhich is the same as the known method. For example, the dye receivinglayer transferer can be produced by adding a solvent capable ofdissolving the above composition for forming the dye receivimg layer tothe composition in order to prepare a material to be applied (orcoated), applying the material onto a front surface of a substrate whichis used for the dye receiving layer transferee, and then drying theapplied material to form the dye receiving layer transferee.

The dye receiving layer has preferably a thickness in the range of 5-9μm.

The dye receiving layer which is formed as described above maypreferably be cut in an arbitrarily predetermined shape and transferredonto the intermediate record support by the dye receiving layer transferhead.

Moreover, the dye receiving layer transferer preferably comprises aheat-resistant sliding layer on a back surface of its substrate.

The “heat-resistant sliding layer” means a layer provided in order toavoid the deformation of the “substrate” of the dye receiving layertransferer which deformation is caused by heat applied by the dyereceiving layer transfer head in contact with the back surface of thesubstrate, and in order to smooth the running of the dye receiving layertransferee on the heating means by controlling simultaneously both theheat resistance and a coefficient of friction of the substrate.

As the “heat-resistant sliding layer” of the dye receiving layertransferee, a layer which is similar to the “heat-resistant slidinglayer” of the dye transferer as described below may be used.

In general, the “heat-resistant sliding layer” can be formed by using acomposition to form the heat-resistant sliding layer on the back surfaceof the dye transferer (see, Japanese Patent No. 2,670,539, and JapanesePatent Kokai Publication No. 59-225994, etc.). Examples of thecomposition to form the heat-resistant sliding layer includes acrosslinkable resin composition in which fine particles such as talc andsilica and various silicone oils. etc. are added to an acrylic polyolresin, a plastic resin and a crosslinking agent. The heat-resistantsliding layer preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.5-1.5 μm, andparticularly preferably a thickness of about 1 -m.

Therefore, the dye receiving layer transferer preferably comprises theheat-resistant sliding layer on the back surface of the substrate andthe dye receiving layer which can be cut off in the arbitrarilypredetermined shape and transferred onto the intermediate record supportby the dye receiving layer transfer head.

The image recording section comprises the image recording head andfurthermore comprises a cold-releasing mechanism, as well as a rewindingsection and a winding section for the dye transferee. The dye transfereris supplied by the intermediate record support from the rewindingsection for the dye transferee, the dye transferer is temporarilyunified with the dye receiving layer by being pressed to the dyereceiving layer on the intermediate record support between the imagerecording head and the larger diameter drum and by being heated with theimage recording head. Then, after the dye transferer is cooled by thecold-releasing mechanism, the dye transferer preferably releases fromthe dye receiving layer when the dye transferer is wound by the windingsection.

As described above, when printing with a single color is carried out orthe dye transferer in which the different dye layers are formed inseries is used, the image recording section may comprise a single imagerecording head alone. The image recording section may comprise the imagerecording section for Y (yellow), the image recording section for M(magenta), and the image recording section for C (cyan) in which each ofthe three primary colors, Y, M and C is recorded respectively in seriesat a different position around the larger diameter drum.

When the image recording section comprises the image recording sectionfor Y, the image recording section for M, and the image recordingsection for C, the image recording sections for Y, M and C arepositioned in tandem and face to the intermediate record support on theouter periphery of the same one drum. A spacing between two adjacentimage recording sections for Y, M and C is preferably equal to or largerthan an intended image recording size, moreover the spacings arepreferably the same. As to the spacing between the image recordingsections for Y, M and C, for example, when the image recording size isan A6 size which is placed transversely, the spacing between twoadjacent image recording heads for Y, M and C is preferably about 110mm.

Further, each of the image recording heads for Y, M and C is providedand faces to the intermediate record support on the outer periphery ofthe drum. The image recording heads for Y, M and C are positionedpreferably separately by the same spacing.

An edge-face head is used as the image recording head as in used for thedye receiving layer transfer head as described above. For example, acommercially available edge-face head (resolution 300 dpi) for imagerecording can be used as the image recording head as in the case of thedye receiving layer transfer head. Concretely, a line recording headhaving a resolution of 300 dpi is preferable. Further, the C-shapededge-face head can be used.

In the image recording section, the dye of the dye transferer such as asublimation type dye is thermally transferred onto the dye receivinglayer on the intermediate record support from the dye layer by heatingthe dye transferer from its back surface using the image transfer head.

The stability of the thermal transfer recording is improved by recordingthe image onto the dye receiving layer transferred to the intermediaterecord support on the drum using the “edge-face head” as the imagerecording head, which is one of characteristics of the presentinvention.

It is noted that the cold-releasing mechanism is preferably also used inthe image recording section. The “cold-releasing mechanism” in the imagerecording section means a mechanism in which both the dye transferer andthe intermediate record support adhering to each other by heating by theimage recording head are cooled while they are integral. In order tostably release the dye transferer which is adhering to the dye receivinglayer on the intermediate record support from the dye receiving layer,it is important to cool them enough in the cold-releasing mechanism.

It is noted that the dye transferer comprises a substrate and a dyelayer.

A substrate which is similar to the “substrate” for the dye receivinglayer transferer as described above can be used as the “substrate” forthe dye transferee.

The “dye layer” of the dye transferer means a layer which thermallytransfers a dye such as a sublimation type dye to the dye receivinglayer when it is heated and thereby an image is recorded. The dye layerpreferably comprises the (sublimation type) dye and a binder resin.

A dye layer for Y, M or C can be formed by applying, using a printingmethod, an ink composition or a dye composition comprising the(sublimation type) dye for Y, M or C and the binder resin all over asubstrate of the dye transferer for Y, M or C. It is noted that a dyetransferer in which dye layers for Y, M and C, respectively, arerepeatedly formed in series can be obtained by applying, using aprinting method, compositions each comprising a (sublimation type) dyefor Y and the binder resin, for M and the binder resin, and for C andthe binder resin in series all over one substrate.

For example, a dye composition comprising at least two selected from aquinophtalone-based dye, a styryl-based dye and a pyridone azo-based dyeis preferably used as the (sublimation type) dye for Y.

For example, a dye composition comprising at least two kinds of animidazole azo-based dye which are different a little different in theirend groups is preferable as the (sublimation type) dye for M. The dyecomposition may further comprise an antraquinone-based dye as required.

For example, a dye composition comprising a plurality ofindoaniline-based dyes and an anthraquinone-based dye as a complementarycolor is preferable as the (sublimation type) dye for C.

As the “binder resin” which is contained in the dye layer, anacrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS) resin, a poly acetal resin, apolyester resin, a phenoxy resin, a single component-type epoxy resinand a mixture thereof can be mentioned. As to the AS resin, an AS resinwhich contains moieties (ca. 30 weight %) derived from acrylonitrilemore than a conventional grade AS resin (ca. 23 weight %) is preferablesince the former AS resin can improve an adhesive force between thesubstrate and the dye layer and heat resistive property of the dyelayer, and further decrease in an adhesion between the dye layer and thedye transferee.

It is preferable that the dye transferer further comprises aheat-resistant sliding layer.

A heat-resistant sliding layer which is similar to the “heat-resistantsliding layer” for the dye receiving layer transferer as described abovecan be used as the “heat-resistant sliding layer” for the dyetransferer.

A commercially available ink sheet for the usual thermal transferprinter of the sublimation dye transfer type can be used as the dyetransferee.

The image transfer section comprises the image transfer head, a smallerdiameter drum which faces the image transfer head via the intermediaterecord support and a smaller diameter drum which functions as acold-releasing mechanism, and a (final) image receiver is preferablysupplied from a rewinding section for the image receiver.

The image transfer head faces and is placed inside the intermediaterecord support which forms the closed loop. Therefore, the imagerecording head is provided at the opposite side of the intermediaterecord support to the dye receiving layer transfer head and the imagerecording head.

An edge-face head is used as the image transfer head, which is similarto the dye receiving layer transfer head as described above. Forexample, a commercially available C-shaped edge-face head (corner head)can be used as the image transfer head. Moreover, a commerciallyavailable edge-face head (resolution 300 dpi) for image recording can beused. Concretely, a line recording head having a resolution of 300 dpimay be used.

In the “image transfer section”, the dye receiving layer on which theimage has been recorded is heated from the back surface of theintermediate record support by the image transfer head, so that it isre-transferred to the (final) image receiver, and so that the intendedimage can be obtained.

The “edge-face head” is used as the image transfer head which isprovided inside the intermediate record support which forms the closedloop, so that it is easy to control heating when the dye receiving layeron which the image has been recorded is re-transferred to the (final)image receiver. Therefore, it is easy to control re-transferring, whichis one of the characteristics of the present invention.

In the present specification, the “(final) image receiver” can bevariously selected depending on a condition to store the image receiverand an object to use the image, etc. Paper and a plastic cards etc. aregenerally preferable as the image receiver. Plain paper and coated paperfor printing can be used as the paper.

Furthermore, the smaller diameter drum which functions as thecold-releasing mechanism is provided downstream the image transfer head.The distance between the smaller diameter drum and the image transferhead is preferably such a distance that the image receiving layer andthe image receiver which have been heated are sufficiently cooled.Further, the smaller diameter drum is preferably used to accessorilydrive the above recording temporary support.

A smaller diameter drum functions as a nip roller in order to releasesuccessfully from the intermediate record support the dye receivinglayer. on which the image has been recorded. The image receiver ispressed to the image receiving layer on the intermediate record supportby the smaller diameter drum which functions as the nip roller, so thatthe dye receiving layer can be re-transferred more stably onto the imagereceiver. The smaller diameter drum is preferably provided at a positionsuch that it contacts with the smaller diameter drum which functions asthe cold-releasing mechanism via both the intermediate record supportand the image receiver.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the presentinvention preferably comprises a cleaning mechanism for the intermediaterecord support.

There is no particular limitation on the cleaning mechanism so long asit is a mechanism which can clean the intermediate record support andeliminate a foreign material such as a dust, a stain which naturallyadheres to the intermediate record support, and oil which exudes fromvarious elements (for example, an element which is located at. the backof the image receiving layer transferee). The cleaning mechanism can beused to clean the front surface, the back surface, or both the frontsurface and the back surface of the intermediate record support.

When the front surface of the intermediate record support is cleaned,the cleaning mechanism is placed on the front surface of theintermediate record support at any position in a region downstream ofthe image transfer section and upstream of the dye receiving layertransfer section.

When the back surface of the intermediate record support is cleaned, thecleaning mechanism can be placed at any position on the back surface ofthe intermediate record support. The cleaning mechanism is preferablyplaced at a position which is downstream of the image transfer sectionand upstream of the dye receiving layer transfer section.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present inventionpreferably comprises the cleaning mechanism which cleans the frontsurface of the intermediate record support and more preferably thecleaning mechanism which cleans both the front surface and the backsurface of the intermediate record support.

Examples of the “cleaning mechanism” include a roller-using(roller-form) and a sheet-using (sheet-form) cleaning mechanisms.

As the roller-using cleaning mechanism, for examples a cleaningmechanism comprising a roller which contacts with the intermediaterecord support can be mentioned wherein the roller rotates dependentlyon the running of the intermediate record support so that it rotates atthe same speed as the intermediate record support running and therebythe roller removes the stain through adhesion, or wherein the rollerrotates at a speed lower than the intermediate record support is runningso that the roller removes the stain through friction. It is noted thatthe roller preferably contacts with a smaller diameter drum via theintermediate record support wherein the smaller diameter drumsubstantially line-contacts with the intermediate record support orwherein a part of the outer periphery of the smaller diameter drumface-contacts with a part of the closed loop.

As the sheet-using cleaning mechanism, for example, a cleaning mechanismwhich comprises a roller contacting with the intermediate record supportvia a cleaning sheet as described below, the cleaning sheet (which issandwiched between the roller and the intermediate record support), arewinding section and a winding section for the cleaning sheet can beexemplified, wherein the cleaning sheet moves dependently on running ofthe intermediate record support so that it moves at the same speed asthe intermediate record support running and thereby the cleaning sheetremoves the stain through adhesion, or wherein the cleaning sheet movesat a speed lower than the intermediate record support is running, sothat the cleaning sheet removes the stain through friction. It is notedthat such a roller preferably contacts with a smaller diameter drum viathe intermediate record support and the cleaning sheet wherein thesmaller diameter drum substantially line-contacts with the intermediaterecord support or wherein a part of the outer periphery of the smallerdiameter drum face-contacts with a part of the closed loop.

In any of the roll-using cleaning mechanism and the sheet-using cleaningmechanism, the running speed in the cleaning mechanism is preferably solow as 1/n (n is a positive integer and includes infinity (i.e., thecleaning mechanism is stopped)) of the running speed of the intermediaterecord support, since a large cleaning effect can be obtained.

As a roll-form or sheet-form material which is used in the cleaningmechanism, i.e., a “cleaning material”, for example, a nonwoven fabriccomprising a plastic or pulp material is preferable.

As the “pulp material”, general commercial cooking paper and so on canbe used. Neorânu (Japanese pronunciation) (trade name) manufactured byKureha Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and Rîdo (Japanese pronunciation)(trade name) manufactured by Oji Paper Co., Ltd. are exemplified.

As the “plastic material”, a polypropylene (PP) resin, a polyester resin(e.g. PET), an acrylic resin, an aramid resin and mixtures thereof areexemplified.

The “nonwoven fabric” preferably has a thickness in the range of 10-200μm. As the “nonwoven fabric”, PP/PET based nonwoven fabric such as B andBT types (trade name) manufactured by Unisel Co., Ltd. and an aramidbased/polyester based nonwoven fabric such as CONEX MX series (tradename) manufactured by Teijin can be used.

There is no particular limitation on a mixing ratio (weight ratio) ofthe aramid fiber/the polyester fiber in the aramid based/polyester basednonwoven fabric so long as the nonwoven fabric functions as the cleaningmaterial. The mixing ratio (weight ratio) may be in the range of40/60-30/70. The aramid based/polyester based nonwoven fabric preferablyhas a thickness in the range of 50-100 μm.

As the roll-form material used in the cleaning mechanism, a siliconerubber is preferable.

A porosity of the silicone rubber is preferably in the range from 10% to50%.

Examples of such silicone rubber include Rôren (Japanese pronunciation)S (trade name) manufactured by Toyo Polymer Co., Ltd.

A hardness of the silicone rubber is preferably not more than 20.

The “hardness of the silicone rubber” means a value which is determinedaccording to the method described in JIS K6301 (Physical Test Methodsfor Vulcanized Rubber).

The silicone rubber preferably contains no or a small amount of a lowmolecular weight oil component.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present inventionpreferably comprises a meandering (or traversing) preventive mechanismfor the intermediate record support in order to prevent the intermediaterecord support from meandering (waving or traversing).

When the sprocket manner is not used in the driving mechanism for theintermediate record support, the thermal transfer recording apparatusmore preferably comprises the meandering preventive mechanism.

There is no particular limitation on a position at which the meanderingpreventive mechanism is located, but the position is preferably in theregion downstream of the image transfer section and upstream of the dyereceiving layer transfer section. Moreover, when the dye receiving layertransfer section is faced to and placed on the outside of theintermediate record support on an outer periphery of a drum and theimage recording section is faced to and placed on the outside of theintermediate record support on an outer periphery of another drum, themeandering preventive mechanism may be located in a region downstream ofthe dye receiving layer transfer section and upstream of the imagerecording section. There is also no particularly limitation on thenumber of meandering preventive mechanisms.

There is no particular limitation on the meandering preventive mechanismfor the intermediate record support so long as it can function as themeandering preventive mechanism for the intermediate record support.Examples thereof include a meandering preventive mechanism comprising anL-shaped guide or a slope forming guide which faces to each edge portionof the intermediate record support.

Further, the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the presentinvention can comprise an additional mechanism if necessary. Forexample, it may comprise a smaller diameter drum which functions as atension adjusting roller (or tension roller) in order to adequatelyretain the tension which acts on the intermediate record support. Thetension adjusting roller is preferably placed in the region downstreamof the image transfer section and upstream of the dye receiving layertransfer section. Further, the tension adjusting roller is preferablyplaced downstream of the auxiliary drive roller or the nip roller whichis preferably positioned in the image transfer section. The tensionadjusting roller preferably provides a tension with the intermediaterecord support from the outside of the intermediate record support. Apart of the outer periphery of the tension adjusting roller morepreferably contacts with a part of the closed loop.

It is noted that a dye transferer in which the dye layers for Y, M and Care formed in series can be used for the image recording sectioncomprising a single image recording head. In this case, the thermaltransfer recording apparatus can be more compact.

The present invention further provides a novel thermal transferrecording method. The thermal transfer recording apparatus of thepresent invention described above can be appropriately used in suchthermal transfer recording method.

The thermal transfer recording method of the present invention comprisesthe following three steps:

a dye receiving layer transfer step in which a supplied dye receivinglayer transferer is heated from its back surface by a dye receivinglayer transfer head, so that a given dye receiving layer is transferredto an intermediate record support in a “dye receiving layer transfersection”;

an image recording step in which a supplied dye transferer is heatedfrom its back surface by an image recording head, so that a dyethermally transfers to the dye receiving layer on the intermediaterecord support and thereby an image is thermal transfer recorded in an“image recording section”; and

an image transfer step in which the intermediate record support isheated from its back surface by an image transfer head, so that the dyereceiving layer on which the image has been recorded is re-transferredto a supplied (final) image receiver in an “image transfer section”.

In the dye receiving layer transfer section, a dye receiving layerhaving a given size which is a little larger than the size of the imageis cut off from the dye receiving layer tranferer according to an imagesignal and transferred onto the intermediate record support. Since onlya part of the dye receiving layer to be cut off is heated by the dyereceiving layer transfer head, the dye receiving layer having the givensize adheres to the intermediate record support. The dye receiving layeris cooled while in such an adhering state and thereby, it temporarilybonds to the intermediate record support (until the dye receiving layeris released again in the image recording section). Therefore, the dyereceiving layer having the given size is finally left on theintermediate record support by cold-releasing, preferably at an anglewhich is greater than a certain angle, that is, the dye receiving layeris cut off.

In the dye receiving layer transfer section, the dye receiving layertransferer is fed between the dye receiving layer transfer head and adrum over which the dye receiving layer transferer is positioned alongthe drum from the upstream of the dye receiving layer transfer head.After the only given part of the fed dye receiving layer transferee isheated from its back surface by the dye receiving layer transfer head,such part is released from the dye receiving layer transferee. Beforereleasing the dye receiving layer transferee, it may be cooled with afans etc. Moreover, a cold-releasing mechanism is preferably used inorder to release the dye receiving layer transferee. When thecold-releasing mechanism is used, the dye receiving layer transferer isreleased from the intermediate record support at a steep angle of notless than 45 degrees in the cold-releasing mechanism. Cutting off of thedye receiving layer can be carried out by pre-heating it, adding anexcessive thermal energy steeply at the point where the cutting isstarted, and conditioning its thermal history afterward. Furthermore, inorder to transfer the dye receiving layer more stably, the above angle(cold-releasing angle) at which the dye receiving layer transferer isreleased from the intermediate record support is preferably not lessthan 60 degrees and more preferably not less than 90 degrees asdescribed above.

When a leading edge of the dye receiving layer which has been cut offand transferred as described above arrives at the image recordingsection, image recording is started. Three images of Y, M and C arerecorded on the same single image receiving layer in sequence.

A method which is conventionally used in the thermal transfer recordingmethod is employed as an image recording method in the image recordingsection. It is noted that the transferred dye receiving layer asdescribed above temporarily bonds to the intermediate record support andis not completely fixed with an adhesive, etc., so that it is necessaryto enough cool the dye transferer which is attached to the dye receivinglayer on the intermediate record support when the dye transferer isreleased from the dye receiving layer. Therefore, the cold-releasingmechanism is preferably also used in the image recording section, andthe releasing step therein is important.

It is noted that when the image recording section comprises the imagerecording sections for Y, M and C, each of images of Y, M and C isrecorded on the same one dye receiving layer in sequence in each of thecorresponding image recording sections for Y, M and C.

Finally, in the image transfer section, the dye receiving layer on whichthe image has been recorded as above described is transferred whollyonto an arbitrary (final) image receiver such as plain paper (i.e., thewhole of the image receiving layer on which the image has been recordedis re-transferred on the image receiver by heating), so that theobjective image can be obtained.

A cold-releasing step is also particularly important in the imagetransfer section after the image has been re-transferred. There-transfer of the image is carried out when the image transfer head ispreferably separated enough from the smaller diameter drum whichfunctions as the cold-releasing mechanism. It is particularly preferablethat the distance is such that the image receiver can be released fromthe intermediate record support after the whole of the dye receivinglayer on the intermediate record support has been re-transferred to theimage receiver.

The intermediate record support circulates to the dye receiving layertransfer section again and then the above described steps are repeated.

The intermediate record support is preferably cleaned by the cleaningmechanism before the dye receiving layer is thermally transferred again.

In order to prevent the intermediate record support from meandering (ortraversing), the meandering (or traversing) preventive mechanism ispreferably used to carry out the thermal transfer recording stably.

The above described steps are carried out continuously in sequence, sothat the dye receiving layer transfer head, the image recording head(s)and the image transfer head operate simultaneously in the steady state.Therefore, for example, when an image is being recorded, the dyereceiving layer transfer step is operating simultaneously so as toreceive the next image.

When the image is recorded continuously using the thermal transferrecording apparatus of the present invention, the dye receiving layerswhich have been cut and transferred are positioned in series at asubstantially constant spacing on the intermediate record support in aregion between the downstream of the dye receiving layer transfersection and the upstream of the image transfer section. This makes highspeed and continuous printing possible. For example, when recording ofan A6 size image which is positioned transversely (or transverse A6 sizerecording) is carried out at a rate of 5 ms/line using line recordingheads each having a resolution of 300 dpi as the dye receiving layertransfer head and the image transfer head, it takes 30-40 seconds toobtain the first print. However, when the thermal transfer recording iscarried out continuously, one print can be obtained within ten seconds,so that 24 prints can be obtained within four minutes.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the presentinvention and the thermal transfer recording method using the thermaltransfer recording apparatus will be explained hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1 of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

FIG. 1 shows an example of a constitution of one embodiment of thethermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

An intermediate record support 610 which forms a closed loop is placedsuch that the loop extends over a larger diameter drum 600 and smallerdiameter drums (or rollers) 620, 630 and 540 and contacts with a roller560 via an image receiver 510. The larger diameter drum 600 has adiameter of for example, about 200 mm, and the smaller diameter drum hasa diameter of, for example, about 50 mm or less. A dye receiving layertransfer section 100 and image recording sections for three primarycolors (for Y, M and C) 200, 300 and 400 are placed on an outside of theintermediate record support 610 on a part (about two thirds in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1) of the outer periphery of the largerdiameter drum 600. An image transfer section 500 is placed adjacent toand downstream of the image recording section 400.

The dye receiving layer transfer section 100 comprises a dye receivinglayer transferer 111 a rewinding section 120 and a winding section 150for the dye receiving layer transferee, a dye receiving layer transferhead 130, and a cold-releasing mechanism 140 for the dye receiving layertransferee. The receiving layer transfer head 130 is positioned so as toface to the intermediate record support 610. The dye receiving layertransferer 110 is fed from the rewinding section 120 to a space betweenthe dye receiving layer transfer head 130 and the intermediate recordsupport 610, and pressed and heated by the dye receiving layer transferhead 130 while retained with the intermediate record support 610together. When the dye receiving layer transferer passes thecold-releasing mechanism 140, the dye receiving layer transferer iswound by the winding section 150, so that a given dye receiving layeralone is left on the intermediate record support and is sent to theimage recording section by the intermediate record support 610.

The image recording section 200 for Y comprises a dye transferer 210 forY, a rewinding section 220 and a winding section 250 for the dyetransferer for Y, an image recording head 230 for Y, and acold-releasing mechanism 240 for the dye transferer for Y. The dyetransferer 210 for Y is fed to a space between the image recording head230 and the intermediate record support 610 from the rewinding section220, and pressed and heated by the image recording head 230, so that thedye transferer 210 is retained together with the intermediate recordsupport 610 after the dye for Y is transferred to the dye receivinglayer. When the dye transferer for Y passes through the cold-releasingmechanism 240, it is wound by the winding section 250, so that the dyereceiving layer alone is left on the intermediate record support and ismoved to the image recording section for M by the intermediate recordsupport 610.

The image recording section 300 for M comprises a dye transferer 310 forM, a rewinding section 320 and a winding section 350 for the dyetransferer for M, an image recording head 330 for M, and acold-releasing mechanism 340 for the dye transferer for M. The dyetransferer 310 for M is fed to a space between the image recording head330 and the intermediate record support 610 from the rewinding section320, and pressed and heated by the image recording head 330, so that thedye transferee 310 is retained with the intermediate record support 610together after the dye for M is transferred to the dye receiving layer.When the dye transferer for M passes through the cold-releasingmechanism 340, it is wound by the winding section 350, so that the dyereceiving layer alone is left on the intermediate record support and ismoved to the image recording section for C by the intermediate recordsupport 610.

The image recording section 400 for C comprises a dye transferer 410 forC, a rewinding section 420 and a winding section 450 for the dyetransferer for C, an image recording head 430 for C, and acold-releasing mechanism for the dye transferee 440 for C. The dyetransferer 410 for C is fed to a space between the image recording head430 and the intermediate record support 610 from the rewinding section420, and pressed and heated by the image recording head 430, so that thedye transferer 410 is retained with the intermediate record support 610together after the dye for C is transferred on the dye receiving layer.When the dye transferer for C passes through the cold-releasingmechanism 440, it is wound by the winding section 450, so that the dyereceiving layer alone is left on the intermediate record support and ismoved to the image transfer section by the intermediate record support610.

The image recording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300 and 400 are placedaround the larger diameter drum 600 in tandem separately by a spacingequal to or larger than a corresponding dimension of a desired image.For example, when the desired image is of an A6 size which is positionedtransversely, the image recording sections for Y, M and C are spaced bya spacing of about 110 mm.

Each of the image recording heads for Y, M and C 230, 330 and 430 isprovided so as to face to the intermediate record support 610 on theouter periphery of the intermediate record support 610. The imagerecording heads for Y, M and C 230, 330 and 430 are placed preferablyseparately by an equal spacing.

The image transfer section 500 comprises a (final) image receiver 510, arewinding section 520 for the image receiver, an image transfer head530, a smaller diameter drum 560, and a smaller diameter drum 540 whichfunctions as a cold-releasing mechanism (which functions also as a guideroller).

It is noted that the image transfer head 530 is provided inside theintermediate record support 610 so as to face to the intermediate recordsupport 610.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view and a top view of one example of theintermediate record support 610. The intermediate record support 610comprises a functional layer 614 on a front surface of a belt-formclosed loop substrate 612 and a heat-resistant sliding layer 616 on aback surface of a substrate 612. It is noted that the functional layerand/or the heat-resistant sliding layer may be omitted. In the shownembodiment, in order to prevent the intermediate record support 610 frommeandering and traversing (sliding), sprocket holes 618 are provided inboth the edge portions 618 of the intermediate record support.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view along an axis direction of oneexample of the larger diameter drum 600. The intermediate record support610 which contacts with and around the outer periphery of the largerdiameter drum 600 is shown and separated from the larger diameter drum alittle. An elastic member 602 of, for example, a rubber having ahardness in the range of 60-70 degrees is provided around the surface ofthe larger diameter drum 600 except for both end portions. Protrudingportions 604 which engage with sprocket holes 618 of the intermediaterecord support 610 are formed in the periphery directions on both endportions of the surface of the larger diameter drum 600.

The intermediate record support 610 which forms the belt-form closedloop of the thermal transfer recording apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 isdriven by a driving apparatus which drives and links with a main shaftof the larger diameter drum 600. A main driving force for theintermediate record support 610 is a friction force between the elasticmember 602 on the surface of the larger diameter drum 600 and the backsurface of the intermediate record support 610. Driving the intermediaterecord support 610 with the larger diameter drum 600 is the main drive.

Driving the intermediate record support accesorily (auxiliary drive) iscarried out by using a driving apparatus, for example, a smallerdiameter drum 540. The intermediate record support 610 is driven by thecombination of the main drive and the auxiliary drive. The roller whichis used for the auxiliary drive is referred to as a roller for theauxiliary drive.

When a peripheral speed (or a speed of the outer periphery) of thesmaller diameter drum 540 for the auxiliary drive is faster than that ofthe larger diameter drum 600 for the main drive, the intermediate recordsupport 610 can be driven stably even if a large tension is supplied tothe intermediate record support 610.

When a tension roller which can apply a tension to the intermediaterecord support from its outside is positioned downstream of the rollerfor the auxiliary drive or the nip roller, the intermediate recordsupport can be moved stably even when the plurality of the heads (forexample, a total of five heads including one dye receiving layertransfer head, three image recording heads and one image transfer head)are operated simultaneously.

Therefore, for driving the intermediate record support 610 of thethermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, it is not alwaysnecessary to provide the sprocket holes 618 with the intermediate recordsupport 610 and to provide the protruding portions (sprockets) 604 withthe larger diameter drum 600.

When the sprocket holes are not used, the intermediate record support610 without the sprocket holes 618 as in FIG. 2 and the larger diameterdrum 600 without the protruding portions 604 in FIG. 3 can be used.Therefore, the width of the intermediate record support 610 can benarrowed by a corresponding width for the sprocket holes 618 of theintermediate record support 610, and the width of the larger diameterdrum 600 can be narrowed by a corresponding width for the protrudingportions 604 of the larger diameter drum 600.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus in FIG. 1, for driving theintermediate record support 610, a method of the so-called sprocketmanner can be additionally used in which the sprocket holes 618 areprovided with the intermediate record support 610.

Driving the intermediate record support 610 is also carried out withboth the main drive and the auxiliary drive as described above in thesprocket manner. However, sliding of the intermediate record support 610is surely prevented by the protruding portions 604 of the largerdiameter drum which engage with the sprocket holes 618 of theintermediate record support 610. The mechanism which comprises thesprocket holes 618 and the protruding portions 604 also can functionsimultaneously as a meandering preventive mechanism of the intermediaterecord support 610.

A thermally and mechanically highly stable film such as a polyimide filmcan be used as the substrate 612 of the intermediate record support 610whether the sprocket manner is additionally used or not. In such case,the functional layer 614 and the heat-resistant sliding layer 616 of theintermediate record support 610 are not always necessary.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of one example of the dye receivinglayer transferer 110. A dye receiving layer 114 is formed on the frontsurface of a substrate 112 of the dye receiving layer transferer 110 anda heat-resistant sliding layer 116 is formed on the back surface of thesubstrate 112 of the dye receiving layer transferer 110. If necessary, areleasing layer 118 may be provided between the substrate 112 and thedye receiving layer 114. In this case, since separating the dyereceiving layer 114 from the dye receiving layer transferer 110 is easy,it is easy to leave the dye receiving layer 114 on the intermediaterecord support.

Ink sheets which are employed in the conventional thermal transferprinter can be used as the dye transferees for Y, M and C 210, 310 and410.

A commercially available edge-face head (resolution 300 dpi) for thethermal transfer recording can be used for the dye receiving layertransfer head 130 and the image transfer heads for Y, M and C 230, 330and 430. A commercially available C-shaped edge-face head (corner head)can be used for the image transfer head 530.

Operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the embodimentas shown in FIG. 1 is explained.

In the dye receiving layer transfer section 100, the dye receiving layer114 having any defined (or desired) size which is a little larger thanthat of the image to be recorded is cut off based on an image signal andtransferred onto the intermediate record support 610.

In the dye receiving layer transfer section 100, the dye receiving layertransferer 110 is laid over the intermediate record support 610 on theouter periphery of the larger diameter drum 600 upstream of the dyereceiving layer transfer head 130, and then positioned between the dyereceiving layer transfer head 130 and the intermediate record support610. After a given shaped part of the dye receiving layer transferer 110which is positioned between the dye receiving layer transfer head 130and the intermediate record support 610 is heated from its back surfaceby the dye receiving layer transfer head 130, the dye receiving layertransferer 110 is cooled together with the intermediate record support610 by using, for example, a fan (not shown), and is released from theintermediate record support 610 at a steep angle of 45 degrees or morein the cold-releasing mechanism 140 for the dye receiving layertransferee.

It is noted that in the cold-releasing mechanism 140, the angle(cold-releasing angle) at which the dye receiving layer transferer 110is released from the intermediate record support is shown as the angle(α) which is formed by a plane in tangent contact with the outerperiphery of the larger diameter drum 600 and a plane along which thedye receiving layer transferer 110 is wound by the winding section 150for the dye receiving layer transferer with respect to a line which isformed by intersection of the intermediate record support 610 with theplane along which the dye receiving layer transferer 110 is wound by thewinding section 150 for the dye receiving layer transferer, when theintermediate record support 610 on the, outer periphery of the largerdiameter drum 600 is released from the dye receiving layer transferer110 in the cold-releasing mechanism 140.

When a leading edge of the dye receiving layer which has been thus cutoff and transferred arrives at the image recording section 200 for Y,recording an image for Y is started. Similarly, images for M and C areformed on the same dye receiving layer in the image recording sections300 and 400 in sequence.

A conventional method is used as the image recording method for Y, M andC in the image recording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300 and 400. It isnoted that the dye receiving layer which has been thus cut off andtransferred is attaching temporarily onto the intermediate recordsupport 610 and is not fixed on it. Therefore, the dye transferees forY, M and C 210, 310 and 410 are released from the dye receiving layer.The dye transferers must be cooled enough together with the dyereceiving layer. Therefore, the release in the cold-releasing mechanisms240, 340 and 440 for the dye transferers for Y, M and C is important. Itis preferable that enough cooling and a preferable releasing angle areensured before the release.

Finally, in the image transfer section 500, the whole of the dyereceiving layer on which the three color images have been recorded asdescribed above is transferred onto an arbitrary (final) image receiver510 such as plain paper, so that an objective image is obtained while itis placed on the image receiver 510.

In the image transfer section 500 also, cold-releasing is particularlyimportant after the dye receiving layer (on which the image has beenrecorded) has been re-transferred. Therefore, enough cooling is ensuredin order to separate the image transfer head 530 from the smallerdiameter drum 540 which functions as a cold releasing mechanism by asufficient spacing. The whole of the dye receiving layer on theintermediate record support 610 which layer is heated from the side ofthe intermediate record support 610 by the image transfer head 530 iscooled enough while the image receiving layer is attached to the imagereceiver 510, and then the image receiver 510 is released from theintermediate record support 610, so that the image receiving layer issubstantially re-transferred onto the image receiver 510. Then, theimage receiver 510 which has received the dye receiving layer thereonmay be subjected to an adequate after-treatment such as being to a givensize being wound.

In the image transfer section 500, the intermediate record support 610which has finished the thermal transfer recording is guided by smallerdiameter drums 620 and 625, and returns to the dye receiving layertransfer section 100, and the above described steps are repeated. It isnoted that before a dye receiving layer 110 is transferred to theintermediate record support 610 again, in order to clean the surface ofthe functional layer 614 of the intermediate record support 610, it ispreferable that a function such as the cleaning roller is provided withthe smaller diameter drum 625, so that the surface of the intermediaterecord support 610, for example, the functional layer 614 is cleaned.

The described steps are carried out continuously in sequence, so thatthe five heads, i.e., the dye receiving layer transfer head 130, theimage recording heads 230, 330 and 430, and the image transfer head 530work simultaneously. Therefore, for example, when the image for Y isbeing recorded, the dye receiving layer transfer step is workingsimultaneously in order to prepare the next image.

When continuous image recording is carried out using the thermaltransfer recording apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the dyereceiving layers which have been cut off and transferred are arranged,while spaced by an equal interval, on almost the whole of the region ofthe intermediate record support 610 from the dye receiving layertransfer section 100 to the image transfer section 500. By thisarrangement, a high speed continuous printing can be performed. Whentransverse A6 size recording is carried out at a rate of 5 ms/line byusing the line recording-heads having resolution of 300 dpi as the dyereceiving layer transfer head 130 and the image recording heads for Y, Mand C 230, 330 and 430, it takes 30-40 seconds for the first print.However, when the continuous printing is performed under the sameconditions, one print can be obtained within ten seconds and twenty fourprints can be obtained within four minutes.

Embodiment 2 of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

FIG. 5 shows an example of a constitution of another embodiment of thethermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 5 has aconstitution substantially the same as that of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1 except that the smaller diameter drum 625 is removed and the dyereceiving layer transfer section 100 is placed outside of theintermediate record support 610 which is on the outer periphery of thesmaller diameter drum 620 as compared to in the thermal transferrecording apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

As to the intermediate record support 610, the larger diameter drum 600,the driving method for the intermediate record support 610, the dyereceiving layer transfer 110, the dye transferers for Y, M and C 210,310 and 410, the dye receiving layer transfer head 130, the imagerecording heads for Y, M and C 230, 330 and 430, and the image transferhead 530, etc. which are used in the thermal transfer recordingapparatus in FIG. 5, they are the same as those in the thermal transferrecording apparatus in FIG. 1.

The dye receiving layer transfer section 100 is placed outside of theintermediate record support 610 on the outer periphery of the smallerdiameter drum 620. Therefore, the operation of the thermal transferrecording apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is substantiallythe same as that of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, except that the dyereceiving layer transferer 110 is laid on the intermediate recordsupport on the outer periphery of the smaller diameter drum 620 and ispositioned between the dye receiving layer transfer head 130 and theintermediate record support 610.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the dyereceiving layer transferer 110 is released from the intermediate recordsupport 610 which does not lie on the outer periphery of the largerdiameter drum 600 in the cold-releasing mechanism 140. Therefore, insuch a cold-releasing mechanism 140, the angle at which the dyereceiving layer transferer 110 is released from the intermediate recordsupport (cold-releasing angle) is shown as an angle (β) formed by theintermediate record support and a plane along which the dye receivinglayer transferer is wound by the winding section with respect to anintersection line of the intermediate record support with a plane alongwhich the dye receiving layer transferer is wound by the winding sectionfor the dye receiving layer transferee.

Continuous recording can be carried out using the thermal transferrecording apparatus shown in FIG. 5 as with using the thermal transferrecording apparatus shown in FIG. 1. When transverse A6 size recordingis carried out at a rate of 5 ms/line by using the line recording headshaving resolution of 300 dpi as the dye receiving layer transfer head130 and the image recording heads for Y. M and C 230, 330 and 430 in thethermal transfer recording apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5,it takes 30-40 seconds for the first print. However, when the continuousprinting is performed under the same conditions, one print can beobtained within ten seconds and twenty four prints can be obtainedwithin four minutes.

Embodiment 3 of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

FIG. 6 shows an example of a constitution of the other embodiment of thethermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 6 hassubstantially the same constitution as that of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1 except that the smaller diameter drum 625 is removed, a cleaningmechanism 700 for the intermediate record support 610 is placed outsidethe intermediate record support 610 on the outer periphery of thesmaller diameter drum 620, a smaller diameter drum 550 which contactswith the smaller diameter drum 540 is provided in the image transfersection 500, and a smaller diameter drum 640 and a meandering preventivemechanism 800 are placed upstream of the cleaning mechanism 700 anddownstream of the image transfer section 500 as compared to the thermaltransfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

It is noted that the smaller diameter drum 550 functions as a niproller. The smaller diameter drum 640 functions as a roller foradjusting the tension of the intermediate record support 610.

As to the intermediate record support 610, the larger diameter drum 600,the driving method for the intermediate record support 610, the dyereceiving layer transferer 110, the dye transferers for Y, M and C 210,310 and 410, the dye receiving layer transfer head 130, the imagerecording heads for Y, M and C 230, 330 and 430, and the image transferhead 530 etc. which are used in the thermal transfer recording apparatusin FIG. 6, they are the same as those in the thermal transfer recordingapparatus in FIG. 1.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 6 comprises themeandering preventive mechanism 800 for the intermediate record support610. In FIG. 7 which schematically shows a cross section perpendicularto the running direction of the intermediate record support 610(therefore, the intermediate record support 610 moves along a directionperpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 7), one example of themeandering (or traversing) preventive mechanism 800 for the intermediaterecord support 610 is shown. The meandering preventive mechanism 800comprises slope forming guides 810 and 820 which are placed along bothof the edge portions of the intermediate record support 610. When theintermediate record support 610 moves transversely and becomes likely torun onto the slope, the intermediate record support 610 can be returnedto the correct running position since the intermediate record support610 is affected by a force which tends to make the support run down theslope of the guide by the slope forming guide. In the embodiment shownin the drawing, the guide forms the slope (i.e., the slope which isinclined relative to the intermediate record support along the movingdirection of the intermediate record support 610). The slope may beinclined more steeply. Further, in another embodiment, the slope may beperpendicular to the intermediate record support, i.e., the meanderingpreventive mechanism may be of an L-shaped guide.

Such meandering preventive mechanism 800 is particularly effective whenthe above described sprocket manner is not additionally used in thedriving method for the intermediate record support 610.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 6 furthercomprises the cleaning mechanism 700 for the intermediate record support610. The cleaning mechanism 700 comprises the smaller diameter drum 620(which also functions as a guide roller), a roller 710 which rotatesdependently on the intermediate record support moving at the same speedas that of the intermediate record support or at lower speed than thatof the intermediate record support, a cleaning sheet 720 and a rewindingsection 730 and a winding section 740 for the cleaning sheet.

The operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG.6 is substantially the same as that of the thermal transfer recordingapparatus shown in FIG. 1, except for the following:

In the image transfer section 500, the smaller diameter drum 550 whichfunctions as a nip roller is provided in order to sharply release thedye receiving layer on which the image has been recorded from theintermediate record support 610. The intermediate record support 610 andthe image receiver 510 are pressed to each other by the smaller diameterdrum 550 while the dye receiving layer is supplied between them.Therefore, the dye receiving layer can be re-transferred more stably tothe image receiver 510.

Since the thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 6 comprisesthe cleaning mechanism 700, the intermediate record support 610 can becleaned before a dye receiving layer 114 is transferred next in the dyereceiving layer transfer section 100. Therefore, the thermal transferrecording can be carried out more stably. The cleaning sheet 720 may beused or the guide roller 710 itself may be used as a cleaning rollerwithout using the cleaning sheet 720 in the cleaning mechanism 700. Inany of roll-using and sheet-using cleaning mechanisms, the cleaningmechanism preferably operates at a running speed of 1/n (n is a positiveinteger and includes infinity (∞)) of the running speed of theintermediate record support 610, since an improved cleaning effect ofthe intermediate record support 610 can be obtained. Cleaning theintermediate record support 610 is important from viewpoints ofeliminating a foreign material such as dust on the intermediate recordsupport 610 and removing oil, etc. which exudes from various elements invarious sections (for example, from a back side of the dye receivinglayer transferer, a back side of the dye transferer and the like).

Continuous recording can be carried out using the thermal transferrecording apparatus shown in FIG. 6 as with the thermal transferrecording apparatus shown in FIG. 1. When transverse A6 size recordingis carried out at a rate of 5 ms/line by using the line recording headshaving resolution of 300 dpi as the dye receiving layer transfer head130 and the image recording heads for Y, M and C 230, 330 and 430 in thethermal transfer recording apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,it takes 30-40 seconds for the first print. However, when the continuousprinting is performed under the same conditions, one print can beobtained within 7-10 seconds and twenty four prints can be obtainedwithin four minutes.

It is noted that in the thermal transfer recording apparatus shown inFIG. 6, although the image recording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300and 400 are provided outside of the intermediate record support 610 onthe outer periphery of the larger diameter drum 600, the apparatus mayhave a constitution with only one of the image recording sections, i.e.,only one image recording head is used and the dye transferee is used inwhich the dye layers for Y, M and C are formed in series. When such aconstruction is used, the thermal transfer recording apparatus can bemade more compact.

Embodiment 4 of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

FIG. 8 shows one example of one constitution of a further embodiment ofthe thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 8 hassubstantially the same constitution as that of the apparatus shown inFIG. 6 except that the dye receiving layer transfer section 100 and thecleaning mechanism 700 are both placed outside of the intermediaterecord support 610 on the outer periphery of the smaller diameter drum620, the meandering preventive mechanism 800 is placed downstream of thedye receiving layer transfer section 100 and upstream of the smallerdiameter drum 630, and the larger diameter drum 600 has a diameter offor example about 150 mm and the smaller diameter drum has a diameter offor example about 70 mm or less as compared to the thermal transferrecording apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

As to the intermediate record support 610, the larger diameter drum 600,the driving method for the intermediate record support 610, the dyereceiving layer transferer 110, the dye transferers for Y, M and C 210,310 and 410, the dye receiving layer transfer head 130, the imagerecording heads for Y, M and C 230, 330 and 430, and the image transferhead 530, etc. which are used in the thermal transfer recordingapparatus in FIG. 8, they are the same as those in the thermal transferrecording apparatus in FIG. 6.

The operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG.8 is substantially the same as that of the thermal transfer recordingapparatus shown in FIG. 6 except that the dye receiving layer transferer110 is laid on the intermediate record support on the outer periphery ofthe smaller diameter drum 620 and is supplied between the dye receivinglayer transfer head 130 and the intermediate record support 610, sincethe dye receiving layer recording section 100 is placed outside theintermediate record support 610 on the outer periphery of the smallerdiameter drum 620.

The angle at which the dye receiving layer transferer 110 is releasedfrom the intermediate record support (the cold-releasing angle) in thethermal transfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is shown as β inFIG. 5.

The operations of the image transfer section 500, the cleaning mechanism700 and the meandering preventive mechanism 800 are substantially thesame as those of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

Continuous recording can be carried out using the thermal transferrecording apparatus shown in FIG. 8 as in using the thermal transferrecording apparatus shown in FIG. 6. When transverse A6 size recordingis carried out at a rate of 5 ms/line by using the line recording headshaving resolution of 300 dpi as the dye receiving layer transfer head130 and the image recording heads for Y, M and C 230, 330 and 430 in thethermal transfer recording apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8,it takes 30-40 seconds for the first print. However, when the continuousprinting is performed under the same conditions, one print can beobtained within 7-10 seconds and twenty four prints can be obtainedwithin four minutes.

It is noted that in the thermal transfer recording apparatus shown inFIG. 8, although the image recording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300and 400 are provided outside of the intermediate record support 610 onthe outer periphery of the larger diameter drum 600 as in the thermaltransfer recording apparatus shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus may have aconstitution with only one of the image recording sections, i.e. onlyone image recording head is used and the dye transferer is used in whichthe dye layers for Y, M and C are formed in series. When suchconstruction is used, the thermal transfer recording apparatus can bemade more compact.

Therefore, the constitution wherein only any one of the image recordingsections, i.e., only one image recording head is used and the dyetransferer is used in which the dye layers for Y, M and C are formed inseries, can also be similarly employed in the thermal transfer recordingapparatuses shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

It is noted that the dye receiving layer and the dye layers are omittedfor mere simplification in FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 8.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention as described in detail, since the dyereceiving layer transfer section and the image recording section(s) areplaced outside of the intermediate record support on the outer peripheryof the drum, the dye receiving layer is transferred more stably and theimage is thermal transfer recorded to the dye receiving layer morestably. Further, since the image transfer head is positioned inside theintermediate record support so as to face to the intermediate recordsupport which forms the closed loop, it becomes easy to control there-transfer of the dye receiving layer on which the image has beenrecorded to the (final) image receiver.

When the dye receiving layer transfer section is placed outside of theintermediate record support on the outer periphery of the smallerdiameter drum and the image recording section is placed outside of theintermediate record support on the outer periphery of the largerdiameter drum, i.e., the constitution of the apparatus in which the bothsections are placed separately is adopted, the dye receiving layertransfer step and the image recording step can be separately controlled,respectively. Since a sufficient distance over which the cold-releasingis carried out in the dye receiving layer recording section can beensured in particular and a size (a diameter in particular) of thelarger diameter drum can be optimized, stability (driving stability) ofthe larger diameter drum is further improved and stability of thermaltransfer recording the image is further improved.

The cleaning mechanism which contacts with the surface of theintermediate record support is provided which moves dependently on theintermediate record support moving at the same speed as that of thesupport or at a lower speed than that of the intermediate recordsupport. For example, oil on the surface of the intermediate recordsupport can be removed and stability of the thermal transfer recordingcan be further improved.

Consequently, a high quality image having glossiness and good imagestability can be contained (for example, using the digital mode)instantly and more speedily on plain paper in comparison with the silverhalide conventional photograph. Since the single dye transferer andplain paper can be used, a running cost (as to the thermal transferrecording or the thermal transfer printing) can be substantially thesame as that of the silver halide conventional photograph. It is notedthat the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the presentinvention is particularly preferable for producing a photograph which isobtained by printing an image taken by a so-called digital camera.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is described further concretely and in detail withthe following Examples and Comparative Examples. However, these Examplesare merely examples of the present invention, and the present inventionis not particularly limited by such examples in any way.

Example 1

An apparatus which was similar to the thermal transfer recordingapparatus shown FIG. 1 was manufactured and used in Example 1.

(1) Construction of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

A larger diameter drum having a diameter of 200 mm, a width of 260 mmand a rubber member 602 of which hardness was 60 degrees on a surfacelayer thereof was used. A dye receiving layer transfer section 100, andimage recording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300, and 400 were spaced atan interval of 110 mm outside an intermediate record support 610 on anouter periphery of the larger diameter drum.

Edge-face heads (A4 size, 300 dpi) were used as a dye receiving layertransfer head 130 and image recording heads for Y, M and C 230, 330 and430. Cold-releasing mechanisms (for example, a means which presses a dyereceiving layer transferer or a dye transferer to the intermediaterecord support such as a wedge-shaped member or a roller) 140, 240, 340and 440 were provided with the dye receiving layer transfer section 100,the image recording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300, and 400,respectively, and further roll rewinding sections and roll windingsections 120, 150, 220, 250, 320, 350, 420 and 450 for the dye receivinglayer transferer 110 and the dye transferers for Y, M and C 210, 310 and410 were also provided with those sections. A drum having a diameter of50 mm was used as a smaller diameter drum 560 in the image transfersection. A roller having a diameter of 20 mm was used as a smallerdiameter drum 540 which also functioned as a cold-releasing mechanism. Acorner head (for A4 size, 300 dpi) was used as an image transfer head530.

Moreover, protruding portions 604 which engaged with sprocket holes 618of the intermediate record support 610 were provided with both edgeportions of an outer periphery of the larger diameter drum 600.

(2) Manufacture of the Recording Temporary Support

A polyimide belt-form film having a thickness of 25 μm and a width of260 mm was used as a substrate 612 for the intermediate record support610. After both edge portions of the belt each having a width of 10 mmwere made 50 μm in thickness, the sprocket holes 618 which engaged withthe protruding portions 604 of the larger diameter drum 600 were formedin the edge portions.

A following functional layer 614 was formed on an outside of a portionhaving a thickness of 25 μm of the intermediate record support exceptfor both of the edge portions each having a thickness of 50 μm. It isnoted that the functional layer 614 comprised two layers and the lowerlayer was formed to have a thickness of 5 μm and the upper was formed tohave a thickness of 10 μm.

The lower layer of the functional layer 614 was porous. After preparingthe following composition to be applied, the composition was applied onthe outside of the substrate 612 for the intermediate record support 610using a die coater. Drying the applied composition formed the lowerlayer so as to obtain the lower layer.

Fluororubber . . . 10 parts by weight

(biton B (trade name) manufactured by Showa Denko-Du Pont Co. Ltd.)

Carbon . . . 5 parts by weight

(MT carbon N-990 (trade name) manufactured by Cancarb Co. Ltd.)

Magnesium oxide . . . 5 parts by weight

(Kyowamag 30 (trade name) manufactured by Kyowakagaku Co. Ltd.)

Polyamine curing agent . . . 0.4 parts by weight

Methyl iso-butyl ketone . . . 40 parts by weight

A composition to be applied for the upper layer was prepared using thesame composition for the lower layer as described above except that 2parts by weight of carbon were used and 1 part by weight of magnesiumoxide was used. The upper layer was formed in the same manner asdescribed above for forming of the lower layer, so intermediate recordsupport 610 which is used in Example 1 was obtained.

Further, a heat-resistant sliding layer 616 having a thickness of 1 μmwas provided on the inside of the substrate 612 for the intermediaterecord support 610, and the heat-resistant sliding layer 616 wassubstantially the same as heat-resistant sliding layers formed on backsurfaces of the dye transferers 210, 310 and 410 which will be describedlater.

(3) Manufacture of the Dye Receiving Layer Transferee

A strong release PET film having a thickness of 12 μm having a releaseforce (180 degrees release force: 30 g/inch) which is larger than thatof a conventional release PET film was used as a substrate 112 for thedye receiving layer transferer 110.

A composition having the following components was prepared, and appliedon the substrate 112 for the dye receiving layer transferer 110 asdescribed above followed by drying, so that a dye receiving layer 114having a thickness of 7-8 μm was formed.

Acrylic polyol resin . . . 12 parts by weight

Polyester resin having low molecular weight . . . 14 parts by weight

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin . . . 14 parts by weight

Silicone resin containing hydroxy group . . . 4 parts by weight

HALS . . . 2 parts by weight

(It was a hindered amine based stabilizer.)

Benzophenone based UVA . . . 2 parts by weight

Solvent . . . 80 parts by weight

(It was a mixture of toluene and MEK (methyl ethyl ketone).)

Further, a heat-resistant sliding layer having a thickness of 1 μm whichwas similar to the heat-resistant sliding layers formed on the backsurfaces of the dye transfers as will be described later was provided onthe back surface of the substrate for the dying receiving layertransferee.

(4) Manufacture of Dye Transferer

A commercially available PET film having a thickness of 6 μm was used assubstrates for the dye transferers for Y, M and C 210, 310 and 410. Acomposition having the following component was prepared, and applied onthe substrates for the dye receiving layer transferers described aboveand dried, so that heat-resistant sliding layers each having a thicknessof 1 μm were formed.

Acrylic polyol resin . . . 100 parts by weight

Modified silicone oil . . . 10 parts by weight

Talc . . . 10 parts by weight

Isocyanate compound . . . 20 parts by weight

Solvent . . . 60 parts by weight

(It was a mixture of toluene and MEK (methyl ethyl ketone).)

The following ink (dye) composition for Y was prepared in order tomanufacture the dye transferer for Y 210. The dye transferer for Y 210was obtained which had a dye layer for Y having a thickness of 0.8 μm onthe front surface thereof.

Pyridone azo-based yellow dye . . . 2 parts by weight

Quinophtalone-based yellow dye . . . 1 parts by weight

AS resin . . . 4 parts by weight

(Cebian N-080 (trade name) manufactured by DAICEL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES,LTD.: It was prepared by polymerizing a mixture of monomers containing30% acrylonitrile by weight.)

Solvent . . . 15 parts by weight

(It was a mixture of toluene and MEK (methyl ethyl ketone).)

An ink (dye) composition for M and an ink (dye) composition for C wereprepared in order to manufacture the dye transferer for M 310 and thedye transferer for C 410. The dye transferer for M 310 and the dyetransferer for C 410 were manufactured in the same manner as describedwith regard to the manufacture of the dye transferer for Y 210.

(5) Thermal Transfer Recording

Thermal transfer recording was carried out with the above describedthermal transfer recording apparatus. A dye transfer receiving layerhaving an A6 size (150 mm in width and 100 mm in length) wastransversely cut off and transferred onto the intermediate recordsupport 610 at a rate of 5 ms/line with a pitch of 110 mm using the dyereceiving layer transfer head 130 in the dye receiving layer transfersection 100.

When a leading edge portion of the transferred dye receiving layerarrived just beneath the image recording head for Y 230 in the imagerecording section for Y 200, recording an image for Y was started.Subsequently, recording images for M and C were carried out stepwiseusing the image recording heads for M 330 and for C 430.

Finally, the receiving layer on which the image was recorded wasre-transferred wholly onto plain paper (which was cast-coated paper:Espricoat C (trade name) manufactured by Nippon Paper Industries.) 510with the image transfer head 530 in the image transfer section 500.

A glossy and high quality image was obtained by thermal transferrecording of Example 1. It took 35 seconds to obtain the first print.However, when thermal transfer recording was carried out continuously,it took 7 seconds per one print.

When thermal transfer recording was carried out continuously in thethermal transfer recording of Example 1, the above five heads wereoperated simultaneously.

Example 2

An apparatus which was similar to the thermal transfer recordingapparatus shown in FIG. 5 was manufactured and used in Example 2.

(1) Construction of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

A smaller diameter drum 620 having a diameter of 50 mm and a width of260 mm was used. The dye receiving layer transfer section 100 wasarranged outside of the intermediate record support 610 on the outerperiphery of the smaller diameter drum. The larger diameter drum 600having a diameter of 200 mm and a width of 260 mm was used which had arubber member of a hardness of 60 degrees around the surface thereof.The image recording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300 and 400 were spacedby a spacing of 110 mm outside of and around the intermediate recordsupport 610 on the outer periphery of the larger diameter drum.

The thermal transfer recording apparatus was constructed in the samemanner as described in Example 1 (1) except for the above construction.

(2) Manufacture of the Recording Temporary Support, (3) Manufacture ofthe Dye Receiving Layer Transferer and (4) Manufacture of the DyeTransferer

The intermediate record support, the dye receiving layer transferer andthe dye transferers were manufactured as in Example 1.

(5) Thermal Transfer Recording

Thermal transfer recording was carried out using a method similar toExample 1.

A glossy and high quality image was obtained by the thermal transferrecording of Example 2. It took 35 seconds to obtain the first print.However, when the thermal transfer recording was carried outcontinuously, it took 7 seconds per one print.

When the thermal transfer recording was carried out continuously in thethermal transfer recording of Example 2, the above five heads wereoperated simultaneously.

Example 3

An apparatus which was similar to the thermal transfer recordingapparatus shown in FIG. 6 was manufactured and used in Example 3 exceptthat the apparatus had neither the cleaning mechanism 700 nor themeandering preventive mechanism 800 for the intermediate record support.It is noted that the cleaning mechanism 700 and the meanderingpreventive mechanism 800 for the intermediate record support shown inFIG. 6 will be explained in Example 4.

(1) Construction of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

A larger diameter drum 600 having a diameter of 200 mm, and a width of260 mm was used which had a rubber member having a hardness of 70degrees around the surface of the larger diameter drum. The imagerecording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300 and 400 were spaced by aspacing of 110 mm outside of and around the intermediate record support610 on the outer periphery of the larger diameter drum.

Edge-face heads (for A4 size, 300 dpi) were used as the dye receivinglayer transfer head 130 and the image recording heads for Y, M and C230, 330 and 430. Cold-releasing mechanisms 140, 240, 340 and 440 wereprovided with the dye receiving layer transfer section 100 and the imagerecording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300 and 400, respectively.Further, the roll rewinding sections and winding sections 120, 150, 220,250, 320, 350, 420 and 450 for the dye receiving layer transferer 110and the dye transferers for Y, M and C 210, 310 and 410 were provided.The drum having a diameter of 50 mm was adopted as the smaller diameterdrum 560 in the image transfer section 500. A roller having a diameterof 10 mm was adopted as a smaller diameter drum 550 which alsofunctioned as a nip roller. A roller having a diameter of 20 mm wasadopted as the smaller diameter drum (which was a release roller andalso an auxiliary drive roller) 540 which also functioned as thecold-releasing mechanism. A corner head (for A4 size, 300 dpi) was usedas the image transfer head 530. A smaller diameter drum 640 whichfunctioned as a tension adjusting roller was provided between thesmaller diameter drum (auxiliary drive roller) 540 and the smallerdiameter drum (which also functioned as a guide roller) 620.

Further, sprockets 604 which engaged with sprocket holes 618 of theintermediate record support 610 were provided with the edge portions ofthe outer periphery of the larger diameter drum 600.

(2) Manufacture of the Recording Temporary Support

An intermediate record support of Example 3 was manufactured asdescribed in section (2) Manufacture of the recording temporary supportin Example 1 except that a heat-resistant sliding layer was not formed.

(3) Manufacture of the Dye Receiving Layer Transferer and (4)Manufacture of the Dye Transferer

A dye receiving layer transferer and dye transferers of Example 3 weremanufactured as in section (3) Manufacture of the dye receiving layertransferer and section (4) Manufacture of the dye transferee describedin Example 1. Manufacture

(5) Thermal Transfer Recording

Thermal transfer recording was carried out as in Example 1.

A glossy and high quality image was obtained by the thermal transferrecording of Example 3. It took 35 seconds to obtain the first print.However, when the thermal transfer recording was carried outcontinuously, it took 7 seconds per one print.

When the thermal transfer recording was carried out continuously in thethermal transfer recording of Example 3, the above five heads wereoperated simultaneously.

Example 4

An apparatus which was similar to the thermal transfer recordingapparatus shown in FIG. 6 was manufactured and used in Example 4.Therefore, the thermal transfer recording apparatus in Example 4comprised the cleaning mechanism 700 and the meandering preventivemechanism 800 for the intermediate record support in addition to thethermal transfer recording apparatus described in Example 3. However, itis noted that the sprocket manner driving mechanism was not used as thedriving method for the intermediate record support in the thermaltransfer recording apparatus described in Example 4.

(1) Construction of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

The thermal transfer recording apparatus in Example 4 was constructed ina similar manner as in the thermal transfer recording apparatus inExample 3, section (1) except for the following:

The cleaning mechanism 700 for the intermediate record support wasarranged outside the intermediate record support 611 on the outerperiphery of the smaller diameter drum 620. The cleaning sheet 720 had awidth which was the same as that of the intermediate record support 610.The rewinding roller 730 and the winding roller 740 for the cleaningsheet 720 were so controlled that the cleaning sheet ran at a speed of1/10 of a speed at which the intermediate record support 610 ran.

The meandering preventive mechanism 800 comprising slope forming guidesalong both edge portions of the intermediate record support 610 wasprovided between the smaller diameter drum (the auxiliary drive roller)540 and the smaller diameter drum (the guide roller) 620.

It is noted that no protruding portion which engaged with sprocket holesof the intermediate record support 610 was provided with the endportions of the larger diameter drum 600 round its outer periphery.

(2) Manufacture of the Recording Temporary Support

A polyimide film (Captone 100EN (trade name)) having a thickness of 25μm and a width of 260 mm was used as the substrate for the intermediaterecord support 610. The ployimide film was subjected to a high adhesiontreatment using plasma and to a thermal treatment a temperature of 250°C. The film had a length of 1160 mm. Both the end portions of the filmwere abutted to each other, and joined together with a polyimideadhensive tape (No.360PC (trade name) manufactured by Nitto DenkoCorporation), so that the intermediate record support 610 in Example 4was obtained as a belt-form intermediate record support 610.

(3) Manufacture of the Dye Receiving Layer Transferer

A commercially available strong release PET film (180 degrees releaseforce of 30 g/inch) having a thickness of 12 μm was used as thesubstrate for the dye receiving layer transferer 110. A compositionhaving the following components was prepared, applied on the substratefor the dye receiving layer transferer 110 described above and dried, sothat a dye receiving layer having a thickness of 6-8 μm was formed.

Acrylic polyol resin . . . 12 parts by weight

Polyester resin having low molecular weight . . . 14 parts by weight

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin . . . 14 parts by weight

Alkyd-modified silicone resin . . . 4 parts by weight

Higher fatty acid ester . . . 1 parts by weight

Benzophenone based UVA . . . 2 parts by weight

Solvent . . . 80 parts by weight

(It was a mixture of toluene and MEK (methyl ethyl ketone).)

Further, a heat-resistant sliding layer having a thickness of 1 μm whichwas substantially the same as the heat-resistant sliding layers formedon the back surfaces of the dye transferers as described later wasprovided with the back surface of the substrate for the dye receivinglayer transferer 110.

(4) Manufacture of the Dye Transferer

The dye transferers for Y, M and C 210, 310 and 410 were prepared usinga method similar to the method described in Example 1 except that thecomposition for the heat-resistant sliding layers was replaced with thefollowing composition.

Acrylic polyol resin . . . 8 parts by weight

AS resin . . . 2 parts by weight

(It was the same as that in Example 1)

Modified silicone oil . . . 0.8 parts by weight

Talc . . . 1 parts by weight

Solvent . . . 60 parts by weight

(It was a mixture of toluene and MEK (methyl ethyl ketone).)

(5) Thermal Transfer Recording

Thermal transfer recording was carried out as in Example 1.

A glossy and high quality image was obtained by the thermal transferrecording of Example 4. It took 35 seconds to obtain the first print.However, when the thermal recording was carried out continuously, ittook 7 seconds per one print.

When the thermal transfer recording was carried out continuously in thethermal transfer recording of Example 4, the above five heads wereoperated simultaneously.

Example 5

An apparatus which was similar to the thermal transfer recordingapparatus shown in FIG. 8 except that the apparatus had neither thecleaning mechanism 700 nor the meandering preventive mechanism 800 forthe intermediate record support was manufactured and used in Example 5.The cleaning mechanism 700 and the meandering preventive mechanism 800for the intermediate record support shown in FIG. 8 will be explained inExample 6.

(1) Construction of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

A larger diameter drum 600 having a diameter of 150 mm and a width of260 mm was used which had a rubber member having a hardness of 70degrees on a surface thereof. The image recording sections for Y, M andC 200, 300 and 400 were spaced by a spacing of 110 mm outside of andaround the intermediate record support 610 on the outer periphery of thelarger diameter drum. The smaller diameter drum 620 having a diameter of50 mm was used, on which the dye receiving layer transfer section 100was arranged outside of the intermediate record support 610 on the outerperiphery of the smaller diameter drum.

The edge-face heads (for A4 size, 300 dpi) were used as the dyereceiving layer transfer head 130 and the image recording heads for Y, Mand C 230, 330 and 430. The cold-releasing mechanisms 140, 240, 340 and440 were provided with the dye receiving layer transfer section 100 andthe image recording sections for Y, M and C 200, 300 and 400. Further,the roll rewinding sections and winding sections 120, 150, 220, 250,320, 350, 420 and 450 for the dye receiving layer transferer 110 and thedye transferees for Y, M and C 210, 310 and 410 were provided. A drumhaving a diameter of 50 mm was adopted as the smaller diameter drum 560in the image transfer section 500. A roller having a diameter of 10 mmwas adopted as the smaller diameter drum 550 which functioned as the niproller. A roller having a diameter of 20 mm was adopted as the smallerdiameter drum (which was a release roller or an auxiliary drive roller)540 which also functioned as the cold-releasing mechanism. A corner head(for A4, 300 dpi) was used as the image transfer head 530. A smallerdiameter drum 640 which functioned as the tension adjusting roller wasprovided between the smaller diameter drum (the auxiliary drive roller)540 and the smaller diameter drum (which also functioned as a guideroller) 620.

It is noted that no protruding portions which engaged with sprocketholes of the intermediate record support 610 were provided with the endportions of the larger diameter drum 600 around its outer periphery.

(2) Manufacture of the Recording Temporary Support

A polyimide film (Captone 100EN (trade name)) having a thickness of 25μm and a width of 260 mm was used as the substrate for the intermediaterecord support 610. The following functional layer was formed on theoutside of the substrate for the intermediate record support. It isnoted that the functional layer was composed of two layers, and thelower layer was formed to have a thickness of 5 μm and the upper layerwas formed thickness of 10 μm.

The lower layer of the functional layer was porous. After preparing thefollowing composition to be applied, the composition was applied on theoutside of the substrate for the intermediate record support using a diecoater. Drying the applied composition formed the lower layer.

Fluororubber . . . 10 parts by weight

(biton B (trade name) manufactured by Showa Denko-Du Pont Co. Ltd.)

Carbon . . . 5 parts by weight

(MT carbon N-990 (trade name) manufactured by Cancarb Co. Ltd.)

Magnesium oxide . . . 5 parts by weight

(Kyowamag 30 (trade name) manufactured by Kyowakagaku Co. Ltd.)

Polyamine curing agent . . . 0.4 parts by weight

Methyl iso-butyl ketone . . . 40 parts by weight

A composition to be applied for the upper layer was prepared in the sameas described in the preparation of the composition to be applied for thelower layer except that 2 parts by weight of carbon was used and 1 partsby weight of magnesium oxide was used. The upper layer was formed in thesame manner as described in the forming of the lower layer, so that theintermediate record support 610 which was used in Example 5 wasobtained.

No sprocket holes were provided in the edge portions of the intermediaterecord support 610.

(3) Manufacture of the Dye Receiving Layer Transferer and (4)Manufacture of the Dye Transferer

The dye receiving layer transferer and the dye transferers of Example 5were manufactured using a method similar to the method described insection (3) manufacture of the dye receiving layer transferer andsection (4) Manufacture of the dye transferer in Example 1.

(5) Thermal Transfer Recording

Thermal transfer recording was carried out as in Example 1.

A glossy and high quality image was obtained by the thermal transferrecording of Example 5. It took 35 seconds to obtain the first print.However, when the thermal transfer recording was carried outcontinuously, it took 7 seconds per one print.

When the thermal transfer recording was carried out continuously in thethermal transfer recording of Example 5, the above five heads wereoperated simultaneously.

Example 6

An apparatus which was similar to the thermal transfer recordingapparatus shown in FIG. 8 was manufactured and used in Example 6.Therefore, the thermal transfer recording apparatus of Example 6 was theapparatus of Example 5 in which the cleaning mechanism 700 and themeandering preventive mechanism 800 for the intermediate record supportwere added.

(1) Construction of the Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus

The thermal transfer recording apparatus of Example 6 was constructed inthe same manner as that described in section (1) Construction of thethermal transfer recording apparatus in Example 5 except for thefollowing constructions:

The cleaning mechanism 700 for the intermediate record support wasarranged outside of the intermediate record support 610 on the outerperiphery of the smaller diameter drum 620. The cleaning sheet 720 had awidth which was the same as that of the intermediate record support 610.The rewinding roller 730 and the winding roller 740 for the cleaningsheet 720 were so controlled that the cleaning sheet ran at a speed of1/10 of a speed at which the intermediate record support 610 ran. Anaramid/polyester blend textile was used as the cleaning sheet 720.

The meandering preventive mechanism 800 having slope forming guides wasprovided on the edge portions of the intermediate record support betweenthe smaller diameter drum 620 and the smaller diameter drum 630.

(2) Manufacture of the Recording Temporary Support, (3) Manufacture ofthe Dye Receiving Layer Transferer and (4) Manufacture of the DyeTransferer

The intermediate record support, the dye receiving layer transferer andthe dye transferers of Example 6 were manufactured using methods similarto the methods in section (2) Manufacture of the recording temporarysupport, section (3) Manufacture of the dye receiving layer and section(4) Manufacture of the dye transferer described in Example 4.

(5) Thermal Transfer Recording

Thermal transfer recording was carried out as in Example 1.

A glossy and high quality image was obtained by the thermal transferrecording of Example 6. It took 35 seconds to obtain the first print.However, when the thermal transfer recording was carried outcontinuously, it took 7 seconds per one print.

When the thermal transfer recording was carried out continuously in thethermal transfer recording of Example 6, the above five heads wereoperated simultaneously.

It is noted that the present invention was based on the Japanese PatentApplication Nos. 11-169252 (which was filed on Jun. 16, 1999), 11-169254(which was Jun. 16, 1999), 2000-45485 (which was filed on Feb. 23, 2000)and 2000-45486 (which was filed on Feb. 23, 2000), contents of which areincorporated herein with reference to them.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermal transfer recording apparatuscomprising: a plurality of drums; an intermediate record support forminga closed loop and extending over said plurality of drums; a dyereceiving layer transfer section having a dye receiving layer transferhead facing a part of said intermediate record support on an outerperiphery of one drum of said plurality of the drums; an image recordingsection having at least one image recording head facing a part of saidintermediate record support on the outer periphery of said one drum,said image recording section being located outside of said intermediaterecord support; an image transfer section having an image transfer headfacing said intermediate record support inside the closed loop; a maindrive section being operable to drive said one drum so as to run saidintermediate record support; an auxiliary drive section being operableto transmit a force to another drum of said plurality of drums which isdifferent from said one drum, an outer periphery of said another drumcontacting a part of the closed loop of said intermediate recordsupport, wherein a peripheral speed of said auxiliary drive section isfaster than that of said main drive section.
 2. The thermal transferrecording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said one drum is alarger diameter drum, and said image recording section comprises acold-releasing mechanism arranged around said larger diameter drum. 3.The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising at least two additional image recording sections, said imagerecording section and said at least two additional recording sectionsforming at least three image recording sections located in tandem,wherein a first of said at least three image recording sections is foryellow, a second of said at least three image recording sections is formagenta and a third of said at least three image recording sections isfor cyan.
 4. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim1, wherein said intermediate record support comprises a substrate madeof a polyimide film.
 5. The thermal transfer recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said polyimide film has a heat shrinkageratio of not more than 0.1%.
 6. The thermal transfer recording apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein said polyimide film has an elongation ofnot more than 60%.
 7. The thermal transfer recording apparatus accordingto claim 4, wherein said polyimide film has a contact angle of not morethan 55 degrees.
 8. The thermal transfer recording apparatus accordingto claim 4, wherein said polyimide film has a thickness of not more than40 μm.
 9. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 4,wherein an outer surface of said polyimide film is roughened by a shapeeffect.
 10. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim1, wherein said intermediate record support comprises a substrate madeof a polyimide strip-like film, both end portions of said polyimidestrip-like film being connected with a polyimide based adhesive tape.11. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said intermediate record support comprises a substrate and afunctional layer outside of said substrate.
 12. The thermal transferrecording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said functional layerof said intermediate record support has a heat insulating property. 13.The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 11, whereinsaid functional layer of said intermediate record support comprises afluororubber and a porous section having a heat insulating property. 14.The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 11, whereinsaid functional layer comprises a porous layer on a surface thereofthrough which said functional layer and said substrate of the closedloop of said intermediate record support contact.
 15. The thermaltransfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidintermediate record support comprises a substrate and a heat-resistantsliding layer inside said substrate of the closed loop.
 16. The thermaltransfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein acircumferential surface of said one drum comprises an elastic memberhaving a rubber hardness of 60-70 degrees surface.
 17. The thermaltransfer recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein edgeportions of said intermediate record support comprise sprocket holesthereon, and edges of said one drum comprise protruding portions thereonwhich engage with said sprocket holes.
 18. The thermal transferrecording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said dyereceiving layer transfer section, said image recording section and saidimage transfer section comprises a cold-releasing mechanism, said imagetransfer section has a cold-releasing, angle of not less than 45degrees, and said intermediate record support, a dye receiving layer andan image receiver are cooled together while being maintained integrallyfrom said image transfer head to said cold-releasing mechanism in saidimage transfer section.
 19. The thermal transfer recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said dye receiving layer transfer sectionhas a dye receiving layer transferer comprising a dye receiving layer ona substrate, said dye receiving layer being adapted to be cut off in agiven shape and transferred by being heated with said dye receivinglayer transfer head from a back surface of said dye receiving layertransferee.
 20. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said dye receiving layer transfer section has a dyereceiving layer transferer comprising a dye receiving layer comprising apolyol resin having a hydroxyl value of not less than 30, a polyesterresin having a bisphenol skeleton, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetatecopolymer resin, and a silicone resin.
 21. The thermal transferrecording apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said dye receivinglayer further comprises a crosslinking agent.
 22. The thermal transferrecording apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said dye receivinglayer further comprises at least one of a higher fatty acid ester, aderivative of said higher fatty acid ester, and a higher fattyacid-modified silicone oil.
 23. The thermal transfer recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said dye receiving layer transfer sectionhas a dye receiving layer transferer comprising a substrate and aheat-resistant sliding layer on a back surface of said substrate of saiddye receiving layer transferee.
 24. The thermal transfer recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dye receiving layertransfer head and said at least one image recording head are locatedsuch that a spacing between them is equivalent to or larger than a pitchof an image size to be recorded.
 25. The thermal transfer recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image transfer sectioncomprises a drum which functions as a nip roller at a position at whichsaid intermediate record support is released from an image receiver. 26.The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a cleaning mechanism operable to remove stains while runningdependently on a running of said intermediate record support at a samespeed as that of said intermediate record support or while running at alower speed than that of said intermediate record support.
 27. Thethermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein saidcleaning mechanism is of roll-using.
 28. The thermal transfer recordingapparatus according to claim 27, wherein said roll-using cleaningmechanism comprises a silicone rubber having a porosity of not less than10% and a hardness of not more than 20 degrees.
 29. The thermal transferrecording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said cleaningmechanism is of sheet-using and comprises a rewinding section and awinding section.
 30. The thermal transfer recording apparatus accordingto claim 26, wherein said cleaning mechanism is one of sheet-using orroll-using and comprises a nonwoven fabric made of a pulp or plasticmaterial.
 31. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a meandering preventive mechanism havingL-shaped guides or slopes forming guides to edge portions of saidintermediate record support.
 32. The thermal transfer recordingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tension adjustingroller in a region downstream of said image transfer section andupstream of said dye receiving layer transfer section, said tensionadjusting roller providing a tension with said intermediate recordsupport from outside of said intermediate record support.
 33. Thethermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidat least one image recording head of said image recording section is asingle image recording head and said image recording section comprises adye transfer section comprising a dye transferer in which dye layers foryellow, magenta and cyan are formed in series.
 34. A thermal transferrecording apparatus comprising: a plurality of drums: an intermediaterecord support forming a closed loop and extending over said pluralityof drums; a dye receiving layer transfer section having a dye receivinglayer transfer head facing a part of said intermediate record support onan outer periphery of one drum of said plurality of drums; an imagerecording section having at least one image recording head facing a partof said intermediate record support on an outer periphery of a differentdrum which is different from said one drum, said image recording sectionbeing located outside of said intermediate record support; an imagetransfer section having an image transfer head facing said intermediaterecord support inside the closed loop; a main drive section beingoperable to drive said different drum so as to run said intermediaterecord support; and an auxiliary drive section being operable totransmit a force to another drum which is different from said differentdrum, an outer periphery of said another drum contacting a part of theclosed loop of said intermediate record support, wherein a peripheralspeed of said auxiliary drive section is faster than that of said maindrive section.